30A BBQ Fest Breaks Record for The Sonder Project!
The fifth edition of the 30A BBQ Festival, presented by 360 Blue, raised a record-breaking $103,228 for The Sonder Project. The sold-out, annual event in November at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin®, featured 14 regional and local restaurants and catering companies, each competing for the title of “Best BBQ” chosen by the 800 guests in attendance. Participants included 3 Sons BBQ, Back Beach Barbecue, Camp Creek Inn, Cinders and Salt, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Evie Mae’s Barbecue, Harry T’s, Local Smoke at The Big Chill, Marrow Private Chefs, The Perfect Pig, Sons of Amvets Post 29, Swiftly Catered, Uncle KU’s BarbeKU, and Vin’tij Food and Wine.
Winners:
1st Place People’s Choice Award: Evie Mae’s Pit BBQ
2nd Place People’s Choice Award: Uncle KU’s BarbeKU
3rd Place People’s Choice Award: Vin’tij Food and Wine
Judge’s Choice Award: 3 Sons Bar-B-Q
“It was great to see the different styles and flair of each participant,’ said Chad Zibelman, CEO of The Sonder Project. “We had everything from pulled pork and brisket, to smoked s’mores and sliders. It was a melting pot of the best barbecue around and we’re so grateful to each of our vendors for donating their time and food to be a part of this year’s festival. They are all winners in our book!”
Okaloosa County School Superintendent, Marcus Chambers, Makes Generous ECCAC Donation
Demonstrating his commitment to being a good steward for the community, Marcus Chambers, Okaloosa County School Superintendent, recently donated $25,000 from his unused campaign funds to the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC). The donation will greatly benefit ECCAC’s vital programs, such as the Safety Matters prevention program which teaches children in local schools how to recognize and respond to unsafe situations.
Chambers shared with the ECCAC staff, “Investing in the ECCAC is an investment in our community’s future. Their transformative mission is to heal and support traumatized children, restore lost innocence, and instill hope. Together, we can make a profound difference, ensuring every child feels seen, heard, and understood.”
READing Paws Inspires Local Students
Through the READing Paws program, students at Destin Elementary as well as Wright, Kenwood and Bluewater Elementary schools and Lewis School are discovering the joy of reading in a supportive and comforting environment.
The READing Paws Program is part of the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.®) initiative, which partners certified therapy dog teams with schools to boost literacy and confidence among young readers. Scout, a nationally certified R.E.A.D.® dog, visits our area schools to listen to students as they read aloud, offering a fun and stress-free way to improve their reading skills.
Nancy Bown, founder of Dog-Harmony, emphasized the program’s broader mission: “The goal of READing Paws is to improve literacy skills in children through the assistance of nationally registered and qualified therapy animal-owner teams. Dog-Harmony has partnered with READing Paws and Intermountain Therapy Animals as an affliate therapy organization that tests and places therapy dog teams. These teams demonstrate unwavering dedication and have profoundly impacted our community. One team recently reconnected with an Okaloosa student who helped overcome reading challenges years ago. Now 17, she credits her academic success to her experience with the READing Paws program.”
For more information about the program or to volunteer, please get in touch with hello@dog-harmony.org.
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