By Christopher Manson
The holidays are a season of giving—and our Destin community never falls short when it comes to generosity. From food drives and toy collections to charity runs and Christmas markets, there are countless ways to make a difference right here at home. Whether you give time, resources or simply spread the word, you can help make the holidays brighter for neighbors in need.
Each fall, Crop Drop volunteers gather more than 110,000 pounds of produce to be distributed to food pantries, homeless shelters and churches throughout the Panhandle, feeding 6,000 families (24,000 individuals). You or your organization can join many others such as Rotary Club of Destin for this year’s event starting at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 22, at Destin Methodist Church. Business and individual sponsors can email cropdropdestin@gmail.com or call 850.586.0585. To volunteer, visit cropdrop.net.
In the spirit of the season, Superintendent Marcus Chambers (Okaloosa County School District) and Sheriff Eric Aden (Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office) are collaborating for this year’s Angel Tree program. The joint initiative helps ensure students in need—many of whom might otherwise miss the magic of Christmas—receive gifts, essential items and a reminder that their community cares. At the start of the school year, school staff and SROs identified students and created wish lists for community members to sponsor or fund. To sponsor a child or donate, visit https://ocsostarcharity.com/angel-tree.
Rev up for a great cause: the Harley-Davidson Owners Group (H.O.G.) #3605 hosts its 46th annual Toys 4 Tots Ride on Sunday, Nov. 16, starting at Emerald Coast Harley Davidson and ending up with festivities at the Mullet Festival Fairgrounds. Toy and cash donations will benefit children served by the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC) and Children In Crisis (CIC).
Kickoff & preregistration: Friday, Nov. 14, 6–9 p.m. at Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson, Fort Walton Beach.
Day-of registration: Sunday, Nov. 16, 8:30 a.m. at Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson. Fee: $10 per person + a new toy or gift card. Kickstands up at 11 a.m. for the ride to Niceville’s Mullett Festival grounds.
After-ride festivities: Bike games, best-decorated bike/auto contest, truck show, 50/50 drawing, DJ Anthony, food trucks, and 100+ prizes. Details: emeraldcoasthd.com.
Kick off the countdown to Christmas Saturday, Nov. 22, with the Ruthlake Farm Christmas Market, happening at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center on Okaloosa Island from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event supports the mission of SAFE (Strategic Alliance to Fight Exploitation) on the Panhandle, a nonprofit working to end exploitation in the Florida Panhandle. Guests will enjoy photos with Santa Claus, vendors, gift wrapping, and more. Admission for the event is ten dollars and includes a complimentary shopping bag and raffle entry.
On Nov. 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Harbor Docks in Destin hosts its 31st Annual Thanksgiving Feast. Everyone is invited to dig in at “absolutely no charge,” although donations will be accepted for Emerald Coast Food Rescue (formerly Destin Harvest) and Food for Thought. Emerald Coast Food Rescue (destinharvest.org) has provided hunger relief in Okaloosa and Walton counties since 2017, its mission to bridge the gap between food surplus and local hunger. This is accomplished through daily bulk pickups from local grocery stores and same-day delivery via refrigerated trucks to feeding programs in the area.
The Food for Thought (fftfl.org) 2025 Christmas Food Drive is Dec. 2-18. Suggested donations include instant potatoes, stuffing, cornbread mix, canned vegetables, rice, dried beans, macaroni and cheese, pasta and sauce, cereal, pancake mix, juice, and boxed milk. The nonprofit discourages glass containers and does not want expired, open, or leftover foods. “Easy open pop-top cans” are preferred. You can drop off food items for holiday meals at Food for Thought’s Destin (908 Airport Road) or Santa Rosa Beach (132 Market Street) pantries. Email support@fftfl.org to learn more.
Support Destin High School and its Holly Jolly Market at the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s Cultural Arts Village in Destin, Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The family-friendly event welcomes vendors and sponsors; email dhshollyjolly@givesmart.com or text DHSHOLLYJOLLY to 76278. The Holly Jolly Market features local vendors, food trucks, games, face painting, live performances by students and photos with Santa.
Walk the Bridge Destin was founded in October 2018 and is committed to raising awareness concerning first responder and veteran suicide. The movement has since spread across the country and beyond. A Christmas Walk the Bridge is set for Sunday, Dec. 21, at Destin’s Marler Bridge. Details are forthcoming.
The Emerald Coast Toys for Tots campaign includes Okaloosa and Walton counties and is greatly benefited by the numerous local organizations and volunteers. The United States Marine Corps Reserve program collects new, unwrapped toys in November and December to distribute to our needy children. Discover more at fort-walton-beach-fl.toysfortots.org.
CALM (Crisis Aid for Littles and Moms) depends on Emerald Coast communities to maintain a safe place for mothers and children in crisis situations. Donations provide shelter, provisions and guidance for women seeking a better way of life for themselves and their kids. Donations (please make checks payable to CALM Organization Inc.) can be mailed to CALM Organization Inc., 201 Redwood Ave., Niceville, FL 32578. Visit nicevillecalm.com for more information.
The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC) is once again spreading Christmas cheer through its annual Toy, Gift, and Adopt-a-Family Program — a heartwarming tradition that ensures local children experience the joy of the season.
Each year, ECCAC’s “Wish List” program connects generous individuals, businesses and organizations with children and families in need across Okaloosa and Walton counties. Donors can adopt a child or family, donate new toys and gifts, or give monetary contributions to help stock ECCAC’s Toy Room. The Toy Room becomes a magical “shop” where parents can select gifts for their children — all at no cost. Donations also support ECCAC’s partner agencies who serve area families year-round. “Every gift is a message of hope.” How to Help: Bring new, unwrapped toys or gift cards to ECCAC’s Niceville Center (401 McEwen Dr.) or DeFuniak Springs Center (336 College Ave.). Monetary donations can be made online at ECCAC.org.
Make sure a child has a bed to sleep in this Christmas! Donations large and small can be made to A Bed 4 Me Foundation – a nonprofit providing beds for children who would otherwise be sleeping on floors or in other inadequate spaces – can help put a child into a new bed. Make your one-time or monthly donation at abed4me.org/donate.
