By Sylvia Vazquez
This great Woman’s Club was formed in 1976 by a small group of women who saw a “need” in Destin that required help. Formerly named the Lakeshore Woman’s Club but as its membership grew, these women realized they needed to be better identified within the Destin Community and changed their name to Destin Woman’s Club.
In 1976, their monthly lunch meetings were held in a member’s home with everyone participating in a potluck lunch. However, as numbers grew it soon became obvious they needed to meet either at a golf clubhouse or a local restaurant.
The primary aim of the “pioneers” of the Destin Woman’s Club was to enjoy each other’s company while finding a way to help the local community in its needs. These ladies realized that to help their local community, they would have to raise money, which could then be passed on to the “needy” within the community. Hence the need to become a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
As the club evolved, a huge fundraiser, called The Mistletoe Ball, became a “go-to event” at Christmastime. Following the Mistletoe Balls, the DWC diversified itself into doing two “Tour of Homes” in Regatta Bay, followed by fashion shows.The club also conducted yard sales.
Proceeds from all these events benefited local charities and the club’s own Family Assistance Fund. This fund was set up in the name of Mary Kirkpatrick, a past president, but it soon became apparent that the club needed to rename it for it to be understood by the community and possible sponsors. Now this fund is named “DWC Family Assistance Fund,” instead of thinking the Mary KirkPatrick Fund was set up to help the DWC members.
Through its fundraising efforts, the club has donated approximately $250,000 to local charities, supported local families in their times of need with donations and helped them fill their children’s Christmas Stockings for several years from the Family Assistance Fund. The club is also very involved with Fisher House on the Emerald Coast. It began raising money for Fisher House when ground was broken and provided dinner once a month for the visitors there. In 2016 Fisher House was made the club’s local charity. The club still helps with the monthly dinners, but due to COVID it is donating $100 a month for the purchase of gift certificates from a local Shalimar restaurant that guests at Fisher House can use.
The Destin Woman’s Club created an Endowment Fund at Northwest Florida State College in 1993 of $36,133.34 to assist local women wishing to further their education. It has been named the Carol and Bob Winsett Fund, in recognition of Carol Winsett who chaired the DWC committee overseeing it. The college manages the fund and currently a recipient receives approximately $1,200 per semester. Since the initial donation, the fund has doubled, thanks to the watchful eye of the college.
Due to Covid 19 the club suspended its “Glitz & Glamour” fashion show since 2019. It will return Nov. 4 at Louisiana Lagniappe – doors open at 10.45. Tickets can be obtained at www.destinwomansclub.org.
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