The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Fourteen local charities are still celebrating as Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation revealed the gift that they have been waiting all year to receive. The 10th anniversary check presentation took place at Lulu’s on August 27, 2015. The beneficiary charities have no idea what amount will be awarded until the checks are presented on stage. Pictured, The Arc of the Emerald Coast cheering with wine in hand as they receive a check for $180,000 for children with disabilties.

Raising more funds than any year before, every charity was ecstatic to see what was written on the check as they stood on stage. The total amount of checks distributed equaled $2.3 million dollars. With around 300 attendees everyone showed their gracious support of all 14 beneficary charities. 

All of the donations help the charities in multiple different ways. Below are all of the charities that received donations at the check presentation:

AMIkids Emerald Coast received $75,000 to offer a supportive, structured learning environment for high-risk youth through off-campus activities.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast received $100,000 to allow 100 children across four counties to attend programming for one full year.

Children in Crisis received $220,000 to fund housing for abused, neglected and abandoned children.

Children's Volunteer Health Network received $190,000 to fund and serve more than 1,000 underinsured and uninsured children in need of dental care. 

Emerald Coast Autism Center received $200,000 to fund scholarships and capital campaign purchase of land and facility construction to serve children on the autism spectrum.

Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center received $175,000 to support the mental health therapy and case advocacy program for children that have suffered from abuse and neglect. 

Food For Thought received $125,000 to provide nutritious meals for school-aged children on weekends, holidays and summer break.
Habitat for Humanity of Walton County received $162,000 to fund the building of two new homes for families with children.

Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum of Care/Opportunity Inc. received $75,000 to support the children services department, including children's coordinator, educational supplies, outdoor classroom, field trips and child care.

Pathways for Change received $220,000 for comprehensive addiction treatment programs.

Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast received $225,000 to fund the expansion of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Shelter House of Northwest Florida received $165,000 to fund support groups, counseling and advocacy for youth ages 6 months to 17 years, touched by domestic violence.

The Arc of the Emerald Coast received $180,000 to complete expansion and renovations of the Children's Center.

Youth Village received $140,000 to fund capital campaign purchase of land and facility construction and after-school programming for more than 40 low-income children along the Emerald Coast.

New this year was the DCWAF Children's Fund, a check for $48,000 that will serve as a contingency fund for charity partners and will be used as a safety net to serve children in need in the event of an emergency. 

To find out more about the charities and how the donations will help their efforts you can visit our website here

Also view our Check Presentation Press Release 

The Destin Charity Wine Auction is growing every year. This check presentation was definitely one to remember, but next year we hope to raise an even bigger amount to reach more children in the area who desperately need our help.

By: Hayden Hritz

Published on Thursday, September 3, 2015