August 2015 Business Briefs / Member News Part 3

Fort Walton Beach Tax Office Relocating
The Okaloosa County Tax Collector’s Fort Walton Beach Branch office in Uptown Station on Eglin Parkway will be relocating to the new Okaloosa County Administrative Building in Shalimar at the end of August. Due to the move, the Ft. Walton Beach Branch will close on Monday, Aug. 24, and will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 1, in the new location, which is 1250 N. Eglin Pkwy. Ste. 101, in Shalimar. 
 
CIC Recognizes Volunteer for Years of Service
Children in Crisis (CIC) recognized Scott Smith for more than seven years of dedicated volunteer service at a recent Board meeting.  Smith volunteered his services as the CIC Neighborhood Grounds Maintenance Supervisor almost every Saturday morning to keep CIC looking pristine.  Smith coordinated efforts of volunteer work groups from churches, military, civic organizations, and others giving of their time and talents. Seen here, CIC President & CEO Ken Hair (left) congratulates Smith and CIC Board Chairman Kitty Johnson (right) presents him with a memento.
 
World Impact Real Estate Welcomes Sandy Clark
Sandy Clark’s first trip to Destin was in 1978.  She fell in love with the beaches, people, and lifestyle of the Emerald Coast.  In 1994, she and her husband finally made the decision to relocate their family from Chicago and raise their three children in the south. Having been in the hospitality industry for more than 25 years, “Service with a SMILE” has become her mantra. Clark became a realtor in 2005 and her “Customer First” training has followed her into her real estate profession.  Whether you are looking for a Gulf front condo, investment property, home for your family, or land acquisition, Clark understands the journey. Now with World Impact Real Estate, she may be reached at (850) 259-3824.
 
TripShock.com Ranks 173 on the Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America
TripShock.com, the leading online activity and tour booking service in the US Gulf Coast region, ranked 173rd on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest ­growing private companies nationwide. The annual list represents a large portion of America's top privately owned businesses and has contributed to the early success of household names, including Yelp, Pandora, Newegg, and SNAP Fitness. 2014 marked a year of unprecedented growth and expansion for TripShock. Annual sales totaling 2.4 million dollars resulted in a tremendous 2,386% growth since 2011. 
 
Destiny Worship Center Donates Shoes to Children in Crisis
Members from the Destiny Worship Center led by Pastor Steve Vaggalis donated more than 100 pairs of shoes to the at-risk children living at the Children In Crisis (CIC) Children's Neighborhood.  More than 40 children at CIC submitted their shoe size and were presented with a new pair of shoes just in time for school start.  Additional shoes were donated to allow for new children that will be coming to CIC in the next few months. Seen here, CIC President & CEO Ken Hair accepts the donation from Keith Guagliardo and Ray Olivas.
 
Meigs Middle School Cheerleaders Hold Cheer Clinic With CIC Kids
Recently, Meigs Cheerleaders led “Cheer Clinic,” a community service project for the students living in the Children In Crisis (CIC) Children’s Neighborhood. The cheerleaders, grades 6-8, kicked off the 4-hour program with their spirit dance.  Coach West had all the CIC kids running laps, then warming up with stretching exercises.  The group learned stunts and a few 8-count routines, which they put together to music. The last hour was spent with skits, chants, and activities.  Everyone got a chance to tell what they had learned and the cheerleaders reflected on how fortunate they are and how they loved the opportunity to share their love of cheer with the children living at CIC.
 
Landrum Employees Take Off Coats & Ties for a Good Cause
Landrum Human Resources sponsored a “Casual for Kids Day” during its “Founder’s Day” celebration. For a minimum $10 donation, Landrum employees could wear jeans to work.  “Casual for Kids Day” serves two purposes:  to build awareness and to provide support for the Escambia County Backpack Project. The non-profit organization provides food for disadvantaged children in Escambia County elementary schools so they can focus on learning rather than where they’re going to get their next meal. The fundraiser is a follow up to Landrum’s annual school supply drive, benefiting children in foster care within the Families First Network. This year’s drive brought in more than 2,200 items.