A Lasting Legacy of Impact

DCWAF Awards Millions to Northwest Florida Children's Charities & Announces Major Endowment Gift

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF), Northwest Florida’s premier fundraising organization, is celebrating another extraordinary year of generosity and impact with the distribution of more than $3 million to 16 children’s charities serving the region. The transformational grants were awarded during a private check presentation ceremony held August 27 at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, bringing together community leaders and nonprofit partners to celebrate the life-changing work made possible through DCWAF’s supporters. Since its founding in 2005, DCWAF has donated more than $42 million to help children in need throughout Northwest Florida.

The evening also marked an exciting new chapter for the organization as DCWAF publicly announced the establishment of its permanent endowment and a landmark $5 million gift from the Ocoee Foundation, the largest single donation in DCWAF history. Combined with additional gifts secured over the past 12 months, this extraordinary contribution will help safeguard the Foundation’s mission, strengthen its long-term sustainability and ensure its impact continues for generations to come.

"I believe deeply in the power of thoughtful, long-term investment to create meaningful change,” Ocoee Foundation Vice President and Treasurer, Margaret Sheehan. “DCWAF has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to unite generosity with measurable impact, improving the lives of children and strengthening the organizations that serve them. We are proud to make this gift to the endowment and help ensure that this vital work continues for generations to come.”

To commemorate this pivotal moment, donors who contribute $25,000 or more to the endowment before the end of the year will be recognized as Founders. This special distinction, available only during the endowment’s inaugural period, offers supporters a meaningful opportunity to help shape the future of DCWAF and create a lasting legacy for Northwest Florida’s children. DCWAF celebrated all those that have signed on as Founders with a special champagne toast at the event. DCWAF would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the following Founders of the Legacy Society:

Legacy Circle ($1,000,000+)

Ocoee Foundation

Leader's Circle ($100,000 - $249,999)

Lamar Conerly
Jeanne Dailey
Ben & Tiffany Edwards

Benefactors Circle ($50,000 - $99,999)

Stephen & Joan Carter
Robért & Shelly Hinojosa

Sustainers Circle ($25,000 - $49,999)

Chris & Christina Abbott
Rob Babcock & Dona Uzunyan
Kevin & Tammie Bowyer
Ryan Coletta
Tracy Conerly
Jeff & Doreen Eckmann
Cory & Hillary Fosdyck
Justin & Cara Goodman
Don & Cathy Hay
Doug & Merrisa Ingram
Ed & Denise Kendust
Susan Kiley & Wayne Paul
Kevin Mason
Jim & Vicki Matthews
Collin & Alexandra McCall
Blake McEachern
Jay Nettles
Tom & Dana Saffel
John & Margaret Sheehan
Shawn Tomasello
Bert & Sue Trucksess
Randall & Maria White
Jack & Candis Wilson

 “This is a defining moment for DCWAF; one that celebrates the extraordinary impact we are making for children today while securing our ability to serve them for generations to come,” said Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation President Karah Fridley-Young. “Distributing millions to our charity partners is a powerful reflection of what our community makes possible each year, and the Ocoee Foundation’s transformational gift ensures that this work will continue well into the future.”

The following charities and programs are being funded by Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation in 2026:

Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast received funding to purchase a mobile pediatric X-ray system and other essential equipment that will enhance the level of care available to infants in its Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast received funding for a two-part initiative that will provide on-site access to a licensed mental health counselor for youth experiencing a mental health crisis. The funding will also help offset the operational costs of after-school and summer youth development programming, benefiting more than 300 low-income students in kindergarten through 12th grade each year.

Caring & Sharing of South Walton received funding to expand its community resources, including family counseling services and its Kids Specific Pantry, which provides food, diapers, wipes, formula and other essential supplies to families in need throughout Walton County.

Children’s Home Society of Florida received funding to expand school-based community resources that provide critical services—from tutoring to medical and behavioral healthcare—helping eliminate barriers to care for school-aged children in need throughout Northwest Florida.

Children in Crisis received funding to provide housing and comprehensive care for abused, neglected and abandoned children. Its on-site residential neighborhood offers stability, shelter, dedicated house parents, food, clothing and other essentials, providing children with a safe and nurturing environment while helping keep sibling groups together.

Children’s Volunteer Health Network received funds to serve underinsured and uninsured children in need of dental care. These funds will allow for staff, supplies, and maintenance for two Mobile Dental Clinics that assist children in need with preventative dental care.

Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation received funds for scholarships for teens that have received help from at least one DCWAF charity partner in their lifetime.

Emerald Coast Autism Center received funds to support the ECAC Phase II Learning Center Capital Campaign which provides space for teens entering the Transition to Work program and in turn allows the Autism Center more space on their primary campus to serve young children on the spectrum in need of behavioral therapy.  

Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center received funding for mental health therapy, child and family advocacy services, and its CARES program, which equips students and adults to prevent, recognize and respond to child abuse and exploitation.

Habitat for Humanity of Walton County received funds for two new homes for families in Walton County, providing safe and secure housing in perpetuity for the children of the recipient families.

Mental Health Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties received funding for the Brain Health Program geared toward early identification, assessment, and treatment for uninsured students ages 12 to 21 who experience mental health or substance abuse issues.

Opportunity Place, Inc. received funds for immediate housing for homeless children and their families to ensure they are safe and secure. These funds will facilitate a variety of child services including child-centered case management support, a literacy program, shelter services, child and family assistance, and enrichment activities.

Point Washington Medical Clinic received funding to support essential pediatric services for uninsured families, including medical and dental care, medications and family nutrition programming. The funds will also support a dedicated pediatric exam room and educational play area designed to provide children and their families with free care, education and vital community resources.

Westonwood Ranch received funding to provide scholarships for individuals with developmental differences and support construction of a new Life Skills Program Building as part of the organization’s Campus Expansion Capital Campaign.

DCWAF also awarded Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem $25,000 to support its Children In Need Fund (CINF), which provides shoes, clothing and specialized services to children navigating the foster care system. This marks the first award through DCWAF’s newly launched Emerging Impact Grant program, which expands the Foundation’s regional reach through smaller, program-specific grants. Emerging Impact Grants are designed to introduce promising new nonprofit partners to DCWAF or support organizations whose needs or resources may not require a full-scale partnership.

The dates for next year’s Destin Charity Wine Auction Weekend, the Foundation’s signature fundraising event, are set for April 23-24, 2027. The Foundation will release tickets and details in January. Learn more at http://www.DCWAF.org.

For images and video of this year’s check presentation ceremony please click here.