In March, Destin Middle School celebrated its new tennis courts with a ribbon cutting. Just after the ribbon was cut, the DMS Tennis Team took to the courts for the first ever true home tennis game. “Our school community would like to thank Superintendent Marcus Chambers, the Okaloosa County School District, former DMS Principal Grant Meyer, Coaches Brett Chipser and Allison Frankfurt, and Brett Driver for helping make our vision a reality,” said DMS Principal Dr. Belinda Small. For more information, call (850) 833-7655 or visit https://www2.okaloosaschools.com/o/destinms.
The Junior League of the Emerald Coast hosted its ninth annual Touch-A-Truck event at the Destin Commons in March. Accompanied by their guardians, an estimated six hundred children from all over the Emerald Coast gathered for a unique, hands-on opportunity to experience emergency responder vehicles, construction equipment, city service vehicles and more.
The event raised more than $4,000 for the Child Clothing Project, the Junior League of the Emerald Coast’s main focus when it comes to fundraising throughout the year. Every fall, they provide brand-new clothing for over 400 children from Okaloosa and Walton County elementary schools. Their signature community project takes place over a two-day period and is made possible with the help of the ladies of the Junior League of the Emerald Coast, volunteers from our community, and donors like you.
The Junior League of the Emerald Coast would like to thank its event sponsors South Walton Chick-fil-A and Publix and the Destin Fire Department, Waste Management, CW Roberts Contracting, Bomb Squad, FedEx, Nichols Concrete, Island Time Mobile Detailing LLC, Brundage-Bone, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department, 96 LRS/LGRF, Healthy Okaloosa, and Joseph Cannella for their participation in the event.”
The 5th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival held Sunday, March 5, at Destin Commons raised $63,000 and welcomed roughly 1,600 attendees throughout the day. Proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence through its programs focused on academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.
Award winners were:
Judge’s Choice: Boathouse Oyster Bar
People’s Choice: Jackacuda’s Seafood & Sushi
Kid’s Choice: Sauce Boss Burger Co.
LiveOak Fiber held a ribbon cutting in February with the Niceville Valparaiso, Destin and Greater Fort Walton Beach chambers of commerce. LiveOak Fiber is a new Internet Service Provider headquartered in Brunswick, Ga., with offices extending west to Niceville. It offers fast Internet speeds, world-class customer service, accessibility and localization. Its application allows you to control all your devices. No contracts are required, and there is no data cap. Find out more at liveoakfiber.com or call (850) 635-6755.
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation’s (DCWAF) 2nd Annual Galentine’s Day Fundraiser raised a record-breaking $92,500 for young women in need in Northwest Florida, $30,000 more than last year’s inaugural event. The event brought influential women in the community together to support one another while raising money for programs designed to empower young girls through the foundation’s 16 partner children’s charities. All individuals and businesses affiliated with the production of the event are female owned and operated. The funds raised will benefit the following charity’s initiatives: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, Children in Crisis, Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, Point Washington Medical Clinic, Shelter House of Northwest Florida and Youth Village.
The 4th Annual Shrimp & Grits Festival held in February at Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer raised a record-breaking $50,000 for The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast and welcomed more than 1,500 attendees in support of all local club kids. Ticket holders experienced classic southern dishes, great drinks, and live music from Epic & Elegant Entertainment. Local restaurants and chefs competed on the Destin Harbor for the best Shrimp & Grits on the Emerald Coast. Award winners are as follows:
People’s Choice (1st Place): East Pass Seafood & Oyster House
People’s Choice (2nd Place): Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
People’s Choice (3rd Place): Knife’s Edge Private Chef and Catering
Best Overall (Judges Award): Knife’s Edge Private Chef and Catering
Most Creative (Judges Award): Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
Best Grits (Judge’s Award): Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer
Views: 0
