December 2015 Business Briefs / Member News Part 3

Grace Foundation of Destin Supports Children in Crisis
Children in Crisis is blessed to have amazing house parents that care for the children living at the Children’s Neighborhood. These individuals live on campus with the more than 50 children currently in our care. They give up their homes and their main job is to care for and love these foster children, and they do an amazing job. The relationships that are bonded last long after the children are reunited with their families or adopted. Therefore, we are always looking for outlets to strengthen those bonds. One of the ways we will accomplish this is putting our house “Dads” through a program called “Raising a Modern Day Knight.” These workbooks inspire and encourage men to connect with their sons. This will help our House Dads be stronger role models for the troubled young men that would have no male figures in their lives without them, even if reunified with their parents: a father still may not be in the picture. The program is made possible in part by a grant from The Grace Foundation of Destin, and we are thankful for its continued and constant support of our mission to provide a home to the abused, abandoned, and neglected children of Okaloosa, Walton, Escambia, and Santa Rosa counties. 

Terry Pilcher Named 2015 ECAR Realtor® of the Year
The Emerald Coast Association of REALTORS® (ECAR) honored its leading members at its 2015 awards event, held Dec. 3, at the Bayview Club on Eglin Air Force Base.  Big winner of the night was Terry Pilcher, a member of ECAR since 2001 and multiple-time North Walton Chapter Realtor® of the Year, Pilcher was named 2015 ECAR Realtor® of the Year. Pilcher of Merrifield and Pilcher Realty is the incoming President-elect for 2016 and will be President of the Association in 2017.

Additional ECAR award winners include:
•    2015 Crestview Realtor of the Year: Lori Wenrich
•    2015 Commercial Realtor of the Year: Chad Knaepple
•    2015 Destin Realtor of the Year: Abner Williams
•    2015 Fort Walton Beach Realtor of the Year: Ben Acock
•    2015 Niceville Realtor of the Year: Cathy Alley
•    2015 South Walton Realtor of the Year: Michele Bailey
•    2015 Unsung Hero: Kerry Kelly 

Beachside Community Church helps Children at Christmas
Ted Randall, Jake Miller, and Shawn Ellis of Beachside Community Church of Fort Walton Beach presented a $5,000 donation to the kids living at Children in Crisis (CIC). They are seen here with Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO. Thanks to the generous donations from the members, the kids living at the CIC Neighborhood will have a wonderful Christmas. The donation will also help provide a home and care for the more than 100 children that will call CIC home this year.
 

Medical Center Gives Early Christmas Present to Children's Center
The Arc of the Emerald Coast Children's Center received an early Christmas present from Fort Walton Beach Medical Centeremployees and Fort Walton Beach Medical Center Auxiliary. During the United Way Day of Caring, employees from the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center volunteered and worked at The Children's Center located on Holmes Ave in Fort Walton Beach.  During that time they learned of the need for a new commercial grade dishwasher for the facility, and they took action.  From sales in the gift shop, run by the Fort Walton Beach Auxiliary, to last minute donuts sale by the administrative office, they didn't give up until every penny was raised.  Thanks to this generous group’s time and more, they raised more than $3,000.  

Sacred Heart Hospital Christmas Angel Drive Benefits 69 Local Children
During this special holiday season of caring and sharing, Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast’s associates and physicians fulfilled 69 Christmas angel requests. The annual Christmas Angel Drive benefitted the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center of DeFuniak Springs, in addition to supporting several Sacred Heart associates and families who requested assistance. Seen here, Sacred Heart Hospital and Children’s Advocacy Center associates are pictured with Christmas Angel gifts donated by hospital associates and physicians. 

Dr. Poelstra Demonstrates New Spine Surgery Techniques at Las Vegas Forum
Dr. Kornelis Poelstra, orthopedic and neurological spine surgeon and medical director of the Spine Center atSacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, recently chaired the Global Forum for the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS) in Las Vegas, NV. He led various debates and surgical simulations to demonstrate a variety of novel procedures he performs using robotic spine surgery technology, only available in our area at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. On Nov. 30, Dr. Poelstra completed his 100th robotic-assisted spine surgery with the Mazor system.  

December 2015 Business Briefs / Member News Part 2

Vets Helping Vets AC & Heating System Giveaway
Superior Air Conditioning Company, in partnership with Kick’n Country 103.5 and Classic Rock 95.9, is donating an AC & Heating System to one deserving Active Duty Military or Veteran and their children. The deadline to enter is Dec. 18. The winner will be picked by an American Legion Committee of members from all over Northwest Florida. To enter, visit ASuperiorAC.com.

Operation Sunscreen of the Gulf Coast Collects Items to Send to Soldiers
Operation Sunscreen prepares and sends packages to deployed Airmen and Soldiers from our local bases. Items needed include trial-sized shampoos, conditioners, soaps, toothpaste, sanitary napkins and other toiletries. Also very popular are Destin-specific items, like koozies, t-shirts, stickers, and more. Financial contributions are also accepted. For more information, contact Capt. Bill McDonald at (850) 582-2476 or osgcinc@yahoo.com.

Super Heroes Celebrate with InDyne Heroes
InDyne employees raised more than $42,000, more than $5,000 over its goal, for the United Way annual campaign. Seen here, Mike Guidry, InDyne program director, aka Captain Marvel, presents the check for $42,275.91 to Ken Hinrichs, CEO of United Way of Okaloosa Walton County.





Beach Brawl Sk8r Dolls Support CIC Kids
The Beach Brawl Sk8r Dolls presented a donation of more than $900 to Children in Crisis (CIC) from the proceeds of the last home game of the 2015 season.  The Beach Brawl Sk8r Dolls is a team of athletic ladies who strive to change the world one “BOUT” at a time and seek empowerment for women and the protection of children. Seen here, Lauren Walls, CIC volunteer and events director, (center-right), receives a $921.00 donation from the Beach Brawl Sk8r Dolls.

Destin Rotary Receives Humanitarian Award 
The Destin Rotary Club was recently honored for its 100% member participation with “Every Rotarian Every Year” (EREY) award. This recognizes that 100% of every club member is making a gift to the Rotary Foundation Annual Fund to create positive change in communities at home and around the world.  This initiative helps strengthen peace efforts, provides clean water and sanitation, supports education, grows local economies, saves mothers and children, and fights disease.  

Goodman Joins Sacred Heart Medical Group in Miramar Beach
Dr. Ralph Goodman, a board-certified endocrinologist, joined Sacred Heart Medical Group’s practice in Miramar Beach. Goodman has special interests in managing diabetes and helping his patients maintain a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hormonal disorders, such as thyroid disease, lipid disorders, hypertension, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis. Goodman received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee School of Medicine in Memphis. He completed his residency training at City of Memphis Hospitals and went completed his fellowship with the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences.


Kiwanis Club of Destin Helps Local Charities
The Kiwanis Club of Destin recently presented annual donations to 10 local charities, includingChildren in Crisis, Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Emerald Coast Science Center, Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, Florida Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch, Harvest House, Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Okaloosa Walton Readers, and Shelter House.  The funds were donated to help the charities carryout their important missions and to strengthen the community. Seen here, Wanda Pitts, Destin Kiwanis president, along with the membership, present the donation checks.

December 2015 Business Briefs / Member News Part 1

Gulfarium Releases Two Sea Turtles Affected by Fishing Debris
It was a smooth and joyful return to the Gulf recently for Neptune and Oz, two young sea turtles rescued and in treatment underGulfarium's Sea Turtle CARE Program. Neptune, a 15-pound Kemp's ridley sea turtle, was discovered tangled in fishing line debris by a boater in Perdido Key, in September. Though Neptune's right front flipper needed to be amputated, he healed well and responded beautifully to treatment, demonstrating the necessary skills for release such as diving underwater to eat. Oz, a 15-pound green sea turtle, was accidentally hooked at the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier and brought to the Gulfarium in October. Gulfarium's veterinarians removed the hook from the turtle's tongue, but x-rays revealed an additional hook in the esophagus, which was also surgically removed. 

Three New Locally Owned Retail Stores Open in Destin Commons
Just in time for the Holiday gift giving season, Destin Commons announced the recent openings of three locally owned retail stores, Mojo Sportswear, All Dressed-Up Boutique & Gifts, and Shark Shop. Introduced three years ago by hardcore fishing enthusiasts, Tim Mossberg and his partner, Rodger Bagwell, Mojo Sportswear has quickly become the hottest brand in the marine industry. With a wide range of products, they can outfit the water sports enthusiast with stylish, yet durable and functional clothing that also performs at the highest level. Located next to Bass Pro Shops, All Dressed Up Boutique & Gifts, founded by Sonya Tindle, offers women’s, girl’s, and children’s clothing and shoes; accessories; game day apparel; custom phone cases and flip flops; and monogramming. Their eye-catching well known lines of clothing and accessories are not only fashionable and trendy, they are affordable. Do you want to see Shark Tank products in one place? Then check out Shark Shop, owned by Robert Hernandez. The store carries a wide variety of well-known innovations pitched to the Sharks on the hit TV show in one location. Shark Shop also features As Seen On TV products, as well as NCAA team memorabilia, Freakers, Southern Culture artisan food products, Grease Monkey, Air Cork wine preservers, and many other unique gift items.

AVG Celebrates Big – United Way Campaign a Great Success!
United Way CEO Ken Hinrichs and VP Resource Development Ronda Davenport join AVG to celebrate its successful annual United Way Campaign. The theme this year is Be Someone's Hero...Give Today, and that is just what they did! The check presented was for $7,982, but by the next day more was added, resulting in more than a $9,000 donation to the United Way Campaign. All the gang gathered around to pop open the champagne, draw for a prize, and present the check.   


Blue Marlin Golf Tournament Raises $16,938
Blue Marlin Realty Group hosted its third annual charity golf tournament at Regatta Bay Golf and Yacht Club on Friday, Oct. 23, benefitting the Emerald Coast Golden Retriever Rescue (ECGRR).  Blue Marlin Realty Group raised $16,938, which will fund the ECGRR’s efforts of finding homes for abandoned, abused, or surrendered Golden Retriever and Labrador breeds. More than 200 members of the local community joined together to participate in the charity golf tournament as sponsors, tournament players, raffle item donors, food and beverage donors, and volunteers.