AMIKids Emerald Coast, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, Children in Crisis, Inc., Children???s Volunteer Health Network, Emerald Coast Autism Center, Emerald Coast Children???s Advocacy Center, Food for Thought Outreach, Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, The Arc of the Emerald Coast, Mental Health Association of Okaloosa & Walton Counties, Opportunity Place, Inc., Pathways for Change, Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, Shelter House of Northwest Florida, and Youth Village.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.???
??? Winston Churchill
Dear Friends,
2017 marked another successful year of growth for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation as our 12th annual auction continued the tradition of breaking our own revenue record year over year. We celebrated a major milestone; learning that our 2016 auction was ranked the third highest revenue generating charity wine auction in the nation by Wine Spectator Magazine, and we also reached a new high for the number of charities we support when we added the Mental Health Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties.
While all of us are proud of our contributions to the organizations we support, we are mindful that we must continue to evolve if we are to continue to provide meaningful support to our community. To that end, we made several significant changes in the past twelve months. Perhaps the most significant improvement was the addition of a mobile bidding platform for our silent auction. Our partner in this endeavor, 501 Auctions, delivered on their promise of streamlining the bidding process, increasing revenues and improving collections. A second major initiative started last year was our move from producing the Seeing Red Wine Festival for the community of Seaside to producing the Harvest Wine and Food Festival as a DCWAF stand-alone event. This change allows us to make several key improvements including adding our silent auction as a cornerstone of the Grand Tasting on Saturday.
We are continually amazed at the dedication and resourcefulness of our charity partners. Their work is beyond challenging, yet they never stop trying to help the next child. They work with each other to provide assistance wherever and whenever they can. As we shared at the auction, they not only provide healing and shelter; they give the gift of hope.
Sincerely,
John Russell
President
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation
Dear Friends,
As I look back on the 2017 Destin Charity Wine Auction, I am reminded of the excitement, energy, and generosity within the tent that made this year???s event the most successful to date. I am truly amazed every year at the generosity of our community and the patrons who are so passionate for the children in need of Northwest Florida.
There are times when I have to remind my family, friends, company, and even myself why we must continue to serve those in need in our area. When I need those small reminders, I always reflect back on our Check Presentation ceremonies, and the experience of watching our charity leaders receive funds that will allow them to continue to better the lives of children in need through their respective organizations. I think of the impact these amazing charities have on our next generation, and I will continue to push our wonderful organization to grow and support our charity partners.
In a time when many of our wine partners are in need, it is also important to remember their support and the wonderful varieties of vino that bring us all together and connect us all in our passion for great wine. Thank you to all our vintners. Please know that we are here for you in your time of need.
Last, thank you to our wonderful board. It has been a true honor to serve with such a talented group of people aligned in our passion for helping children.
Thank you Stephanie, Harper, and Bellamy for allowing me to serve.
Humbly,
George Brannon, Jr.
Chairman of the Board
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation
???DCWAF now has a safety net of funds for any of our charities that may have an emergency requirement for funds outside our normal contributions. It is our hope to continue to grow this fund over the coming years.??? – John Russell, DCWAF President
AMIKids Emerald Coast received $120,000 to fund a variety of behavioral modification programs and scholarships for secondary education.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION IN 2017
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast received $200,000 to allow double the amount of students from last year (200 children across four counties) to attend programming for one full year. The programming is designed to provide unique opportunities to learn, grow and to recognize youth for their achievements in an effort to steer youth clear of personal failure.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION IN 2017
Children in Crisis received $225,000 to fund the facilitation of housing for abused, neglected and abandoned children. On-site housing provides stability, shelter, house parents, food, clothing and necessary items to help 100 children live a healthy lifestyle over the next year.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION IN 2017
Children???s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN) received $225,000 to fund and serve underinsured and uninsured children in need of dental care. These funds will allow for two hygienists on the Mobile Dental Clinic, and one full-time dentist and support staff at the CVHN Dental Clinic to assist with children in need of dental and medical care. In addition, they will be able to purchase new detail supplies and cover the maintenance and repairs of their equipment.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION IN 2017
Emerald Coast Autism Center received $200,000 to fund scholarships for approximately 12 families and the next phase of their capital campaign. The new Northwest Florida State College campus facility has allowed Emerald Coast Autism Center to increase their capacity levels, serving up to 130 students.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION IN 2017
Emerald Coast Children???s Advocacy Center received $225,000 to support mental health therapy, medical programs, and a case advocacy program that facilitates a child-friendly atmosphere offering counseling, family services, and coordination of investigations for child abuse and neglect.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION IN 2017
Food for Thought Outreach received $240,000 to provide nutritious meals for school-aged children on weekends, holidays and summer break. This year???s funding will facilitate over 200,000 meals and snack items for children in Okaloosa and Walton counties.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION IN 2017
Habitat for Humanity of Walton County received $150,000 to fully fund the building of two new homes for families with children in Walton County.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION IN 2017
Mental Health Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties is DCWAF???s newest beneficiary and received $150,000 to fund ???The Brain Health Initiative??? geared toward early identification, assessment and treatment for students ages 12 to 21 who experience mental health or substance abuse issues.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION IN 2017
Opportunity Place received $85,000 for immediate housing for homeless children and their families.
Opportunity Place, Inc., provides temporary emergency shelter and hope for a brighter future for women and families with minor children.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION IN 2017
Pathways for Change received $170,000 for comprehensive addiction treatment programs including men???s residential treatment and operations for the family center.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION IN 2017
Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast received $225,000 to fund the expansion of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which will provide a larger nursery to accommodate a 10-bed Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the future.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION IN 2017
Shelter House of Northwest Florida received $170,000 to fund support groups, counseling and advocacy for youth touched by domestic violence. Funding will also support their Youth Prevention Program, therapists for children, supplies such as school snacks and diapers, tutoring materials, community outings, and the Youth Community Action Team.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION IN 2017
The Arc of the Emerald Coast received $200,000 to support Early Intervention and Family Education Program at the Early Intervention Center for children living with disabilities.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION IN 2017
Youth Village received $100,000 to fund after-school programming for more than 40 low-income children along the Emerald Coast.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION IN 2017
In the last four years, DCWAF has contributed $9,695,000 or 61.4% of total donated funds since the first auction in 2006. As a result, the number of charities supported has risen from three in 2006 to 15 in 2017.
Currently ranked #3 in the country by Wine Spectator Magazine, The Destin Charity Wine Auction Weekend has
been recognized in the ???Top 10 U.S. Charity Wine Auctions??? by the magazine for the last five consecutive years. The Foundation???s largest annual event, the auction takes place over the last weekend in April each year. The event draws wine aficionados, gourmet chefs and celebrity vintners from around the globe to enjoy world-class wines in the picture-perfect setting & white sand beaches of the Northwest Florida???s Emerald Coast. Funds raised benefit 15 local charities impacting the lives of children in need.
LIVE AUCTION REVENUE
SILENT AUCTION REVENUE
A tradition Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation is particularly proud of is the ???Paddle Raise.??? The year Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation was created, Chan Cox, DCWAF founder, lost his 30 year old son, Clinton, to the devastating effects of addiction. A memorial fund was created to bring awareness and build a legacy for Clinton from the proceeds of a paddle raise at the live auction. Pathways For Change (PFC) is a faith based organization funded initially by Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. Since 2005, PFC has served hundreds of men in intensive substance abuse treatment. Their mission of Changing Lives, Reducing Crime, Building Futures is actively preventing heartbreaking losses. Since 2007, DCWAF has raised over $1,000,000 so men and their families could be set free to live the lives God intended for us all.
PADDLE RAISE REVENUE
DCWAF celebrated the 12th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction on April 29, raising $2.7 million for children in need in Northwest Florida. The record breaking results are a $40,000 increase over the $2.66 million raised last year.
The 12th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction was comprised of 55 unique Live Lots, 29 Super Silent offerings, and 132 Silent Lots. The sold out event was attended by over 600 wine enthusiasts, making it the most successful Destin Charity Wine Auction to date.
Memorable moments from the 2017 Auction included the Foundation???s first automobile, a 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport, which sold for $85,000 making it the highest single-selling lot in the history of the organization. The Tesla was donated by St. Joe Community Foundation, and is also the largest single donation in DCWAF history.
Mobile bidding through 501 Auctions was successfully introduced into the Silent and Super Silent categories for the first time to allow for more convenient and competitive bidding. Rather than closing these sections at 3 PM as the Live Auction began, the new platform allowed DCWAF to keep bidding open through Sunday at noon in order for patrons to secure items they may have missed the day before.
Magnum Force
The auction kicked off with the Magnum Force lot featuring 50 autographed magnums from DCWAF vintners past and present, which raised a record tying bid of $55,000.
Bordeaux to Burgundy in a California State of Mind
Raising $60,000 was a lot donated by Robin and Michelle Baggett, owners of Alpha Omega and Tolosa Wineries. This incredible trip included five nights for two couples kicking off with a private, four-course wine dinner on the Baggett???s private yacht from San Francisco to Napa Valley where the winning couples experienced all that Alpha Omega has to offer. Both couples then traveled by private plane to San Louis Obispo to enjoy a taste of Tolosa Winery complete with a long list of wine dinners and activities.
The Need for Speed
Donated by St. Joe Community Foundation, a 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport with less than 2,300 miles on it coupled with a weekend stay at WaterSound Origins sold for $85,000, making it the highest grossing, single auction lot in Foundation history.
Other Top Grossing Lots
The third highest grossing single lot at the 2017 Destin Charity Wine Auction sold for $55,000 and featured eight magnums of Joseph Phelps??? flagship wine, 2013 Insignia, paired with a stay at Dakota Shy, and a multitude of wine lunches and dinners at each winery. A trip to Italy???s Amalfi coast benefiting Mental Health Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties sold twice at $45,000 each for a total of $90,000 while an immersive trip to Umbria, Italy benefiting Children???s Volunteer Health Network sold three times at $20,000 for a total of $60,000.
HOW TO DONATE LOTS: Contact Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation at info@www.dcwaf.org or call (850) 650-3732 to submit your donation or request more information.
DeLille Cellars – Greg and Stacy Lill
– Honorary Vintners
Antinori and Antica Napa Valley – Erik Saccomani and Glenn Salva – International Honorary Vintners
Alpha Omega and Tolosa Winery
– Robin and Michelle Baggett
Arkenstone – Susan Krausz
Barnett Vineyards – Fiona and Hal Barnett
Cardinale – Erik Ackerman and Leah Robinson
Carneros Wine Alliance
– Axel Schug and Dan Zepponi
Covert Estate – Kristi Devine
Covington Cellars and II Vintners – Morgan Lee
Domaine Serene – Luis Reyneri
Dunn Family Vineyard – Kristina Dunn Buchanan
Foley Family Wines – Gianni Abate and Robert Smith
Gamble Family Vineyards
– Tom Gamble and Ashley Brandner
Hartford Family Wines – Don Hartford
Hertelendy Vineyards – Ralph Hertelendy
Jarvis Estate – Scott Morrison
Joseph Phelps Vineyards – Will Phelps
Krutz Cellars – Bryan Krutz
Massolino – Franco Massolino
Merry Edwards Winery – Ken Coopersmith
O???Brien Estate – Bart and Barb O???Brien
Robert Craig Winery – Elton Slone and Rachel Miller
Rocca Family Vineyard – Mary Rocca
Spring Mountain Vineyard – Susan Doyle
Staglin Family Vineyards – Shari Staglin
Tournesol Winery – Bob and Ann Arns
Willamette Valley Vineyards – Mary Joli
Additional Proprietors:
Angel???s Envy – Wesley Henderson
Buffalo Trace – Harlen Wheatley
Papa???s Pilar – Carlton Grooms
Nikhil Abuvala
Roux 30A, Grayton Beach, FL
Nyesha Arrington
Los Angeles, CA
Matthew Basford
Canoe – Atlanta, GA
Tim Creehan
Cuvee Bistro – Destin, FL
Robert Harris
The Table – Cambridge, MA
Bob Hurley
Hurley???s Restaurant and Bar, Yountsville, CA
During the Wine Auction weekend, 14 Patron Dinners were held in notable restaurants and private homes in the area. These dinners pair celebrity chefs with participating vintners to create a memorable dining experience for every attendee. The Foundation is especially thankful to the Patron Hosts who opened the doors to their homes and restaurants and set the stage for the auction weekend. Auctions at each of these dinners recorded revenues of over $560,000, with $154,000 raised at Food for Thought Outreach???s dinner hosted by Jack and Candis Wilson???s dinner featuring Alpha Omega and Tolosa Winery, and Chef Matthew Basford.
???It is our hosts who create the anticipation for the auction, it is our hosts that take such great care of our vintners and chefs, and it is our hosts who start us off with great auction revenue from their dinners. Each is an amazing contributor to the success of our mission and truly a force for good in our community,??? marveled Russell.
TOTAL PATRON AUCTION BIDS
Jim & Ann Barri with Cory & Hilary Fosdyck
Don & Janis Bishop with Jane Solomon & Colin Mayo
George & Stephanie Brannon Jr. with Jeff & Cindy Garrard at Churchill Oaks
Dr. Bill & Pam Burden
Christine Carter & Ken Bryant
Stephen & Joan Carter
Harriet Crommelin at Cafe Thirty-A
Ben & Tiffany Edwards with Jeanne Dailey & Jay Nettles at the Sandestin Beach Club
Don & Cathy Hay with Bill & Sharon Stark at Bijoux
Drs. Mike & Lan O???Donnell with Michael & Rebecca Scozzafave
John & Margaret Sheehan
Bert & Sue Trucksess
Pamela Wellborn with Chef Tim Creehan at Cuv??e 30A
Jack & Candis Wilson
Chris & Ivy Trovas of Wild Olives
The SEASIDE?? Seeing Red Wine Festival has grown to be a sell-out event, attracting wine connoisseurs and novices alike. The Seeing Red Wine Festival has been recognized as one of the ???Top 10 Can???t-Miss Fall Wine Festivals??? by Fodor???s Travel.
The four days of festivities include reserve wine tastings, dinners, and a brunch with featured guest winemakers. Several of Seaside???s well-known restaurants showcase how their farm-to-fork and gulf-to-table offerings pair beautifully with the featured red wines.
Seeing Red Wine Festival Revenue
Volume 1, DCWAF???s first in a series of pop-up dinners, was held at 560 Grand Boulevard. Modeled after Jacksonville???s Legend Series, Volume 1 showcased a themed, multi-course menu created by some of the best celebrity chefs in the culinary industry paired with exquisite wines and entertainment. Guests purchased their tickets without knowing the theme or location in advance, and were surprised on the morning of the event to learn that DCWAF staff was taking them back in time to the Storyville era of New Orleans.
Amount Raised
The Northwest Florida Beaches Ultimate Wine Weekend is the last weekend in April each year. We are lucky to partner with the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival. Both events take place on the lawn of Grand Boulevard and a handful of vintners participate in the festivities of the entire weekend. The 5th Annual South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival featured 800 wines, poured by notable national and international wine celebrities including Don Hartford from Hartford Family Winery, Glenn Salva from Antica Napa Valley, and Franco Massolino from Massolino.
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation benefits from the proceeds of the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival. This year we graciously accepted a check for $15,000 to help further our mission.
???We are incredibly proud of our partnership with DCWAF and remain stalwart supporters of the Foundation and the important work they continue do in our community. They truly make a difference in people???s lives.???
??? Stacey Brady, Executive Director, South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival and Marketing Director, Grand Boulevard at Sandestin
???The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.???
??? Gandhi
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation has been involved in the production of a number of wine festivals over the years. For the first time, the Foundation is producing a multi-day, stand alone event in the beautiful town of WaterColor. Harvest Wine & Food Festival will provide patrons the opportunity to sip and savor some of the world???s finest wine and culinary selections while raising money for children in need in Northwest Florida.
To become a sponsor visit www.dcwaf.org/sponsors for more information or call us at (850) 650-3732.
George Brannon Jr. ??? Chairman of the Board
Joan Carter ??? Chairman Elect
Sharon Stark ??? Vice Chairman
Dan Buckner ??? Past Chairman
Jack Wilson ??? Secretary
Doug Ingram ??? Treasurer
Chris Abbott
Shannon Amos
Steve Carter
Chan Cox
Jeanne Dailey
Demetrius Fuller
Jeff Garrard
Bob Gelardi
John Hawkins
Cathy Hay
Rob??rt Hinojosa
Susan Kiley
Bob Kirk
Vicki Matthews
Kevin Mason
Richard McNeese
Jane Solomon
Pam Wellborn
Charlie White
Jim Adams
Dr. Warren Amos
Glenn & Dana Armentor
Rob Babcock
Sandy Bartow
Don & Janis Bishop
Jim & Sherre Bunch
Dr. Bill & Pam Burden
Lamar Conerly
Tim Creehan
Tim Krueger
Kay Martin
Demetria McNeese
Mark & Lynne O???Connell
Joseph & Suzanne Quinlan
Diane Rackley
Bill & Rebecca Sanders
Gary & Jan Serafin
John & Margaret Sheehan
Brian & Crystal Spencer
Bert & Sue Trucksess
Candis Wilson
Ted Henry ??? Clos du Val
Dan Kosta ??? Kosta Browne Winery
Luis A. Pous ?????Asia de Cuba Restaurants Worldwide
Dave Reynolds??(1953-2013) ??? Reynolds & Buckley
Garen & Shari Staglin ??? Staglin Family Vineyard
John Russell ??? President
Karah Fridley-Young ?????Director
Kate Mikos ??? Communications Manager
Melissa Vidaurre ??? Operations Manager
Staff of DCWAF:
The staff of DCWAF: (L-R) Kate Mikos, Melissa Vidaurre, Karah Fridley-Young, and John Russell
