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Tag: Charity

Embrace Florida Kids Tees Up for Second Golf Soiree April 7

By Christopher Manson

Embrace Florida Kids is an offshoot of Embrace Alabama Kids, a faith-based organization that has been helping children and families since 1890. Director of Development and Community Relations Ramsey Lawrence has been speaking to churches and civic organizations and spreading the word about the nonprofit’s Florida arm since 2020.

Embrace Florida Kids has four programs. “First, we teach people how to parent,” says Lawrence. “People who are dealing with addiction and communication problems. It’s one-on-one intense parenting intervention. We have a 96 percent success rate.”

The nonprofit also licenses adults that wish to become foster parents. They offer residential homes, including one located in Milton for girls ages 12 to 18 “who have been in the foster care program, but have had too much trauma in their lives,” says Lawrence. And there is a higher education program for any child that has been in foster care or alternative living situations (with grandparents or other relatives, for example) and wishes to attend college. “We’ll coach and tutor them and assist with tuition.”

Lawrence says these programs benefit local children throughout Bay, Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rosa and Escambia counties.

On Monday, April 7, join Embrace Florida Kids for its Second Annual A Walk Down Magnolia Lane at the WaterColor Lakehouse in Santa Rosa Beach. The golf-themed soiree will feature a tournament-themed menu, signature cocktails, live music from local favorite Jacob Mohr and a live Calcutta, during which tournament participants are “auctioned off” and money is collected in a prize fund. Dress is golf attire and smart casual; attendees are encouraged to don golf’s royal colors of green and yellow. Purchase tickets at walkdownmagnolialane.org.

Doors open for cocktails at 5 p.m., followed by golf activities at 6 and the live Calcutta at 7:15. This year’s event sponsors include Good News Church, Shoreline Title, Peaceful Family Oklahoma, Hill Coleman LLC, Liufau McCall, Hancock Whitney and Review Harvest.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and participants will receive badges to attend the event, recognition on promotional materials, and a number of additional benefits. If interested, email Lawrence at ramsey.lawrence@embraceflkids.org or call 850.533.9968.

According to Vie Magazine, 2024’s inaugural event, held at Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club in Destin, raised over $78,000. Musician Mohr, who returns following a successful appearance at last year’s soiree, says, “I’m excited and proud to be a part of another Embrace Florida Kids event. This organization literally stands in the gap for children and families in crisis. It’s easy for us to go about our lives with relatively few problems and forget there are young people bravely dealing with all sorts of trauma. I love that they focus on keeping families together. More and more, we see the disintegration of a family unit being the harbinger for multitudes of trouble.”

He adds that last year’s A Walk Down Magnolia Lane was “a veritable Who’s Who of Destin and South Walton business people and philanthropists. The entertainment is decent, and the opportunity to help a great organization that does such important work will just make you feel good. I hope to see some old friends and make some new ones.”

Embrace Florida Kids’ Program Center is located at 5414 U.S. 90 in Pace, Florida. The nonprofit provides comfort and safety to abused, neglected and traumatized children, young mothers and struggling families through group homes, foster care programs and family preservation services throughout Northwest Florida and Alabama. Call 800.239.3575 or visit embracekids.org to learn more.

March 20, 2025
Established Member: Beach Care Services

PCB Chamber of Commerce Introduction

Beach Care Services (BCS) is a unique 501(c)3 non-profit organization established over 25 years ago by Panama City Beach clergy and the founder/owner of Pineapple Willy’s restaurant, Mr. Bill Buskell. Bill and the local clergy recognized the cost of living challenges the large population of locals who work in PCB’s core industry, tourism, face where compensation for many jobs in the local area fluctuates from a high degree of robustness in the summer months to more modest levels in the spring/fall months to little or no income in the winter months. These income fluctuations inherently place many PCB locals in scenarios where they are occasionally unable to pay for staples of daily living (i.e., rent, mortgage, utilities, transportation, prescriptions, clothing, etc.).

BCS provides emergency assistance for these staples for people living and/or working in PCB. BCS is funded by individual and civic donors as well as four major fundraisers hosted each calendar year.

One of those fundraisers, our annual Dinner on the Beach, will be held at Sharky’s on November 6. In years past our annual dinner has been a local favorite event and this year promises to again provide a great mid-week date night experience for over 700 participants. Please join us for a night of fantastic food and fun and support a cause that directly benefits fellow PCB citizens in their times of need.

Our office, located at 9128 Front Beach Road, is open Monday through Thursday 9am to noon to PCB residents in need. Appointments can be made by calling (850) 235-3002.

October 15, 2024
Cocktails for a Cause Drawdown Event Benefiting Girls Inc. of Bay County

Club 360 is excited to announce its upcoming special event, Cocktails for a Cause, a lively evening dedicated to supporting Girls Inc. of Bay County. The event will take place on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 6-10 p.m. at the Sapp House located at 224 E. 3rd Court, Panama City, Florida.

This vibrant drawdown party promises an unforgettable night of sophisticated Sommelier-Curated pairing of Fine Wine and Chef Phillippe’s culinary creations, and exhilarating entertainment—all in the name of supporting a great cause. Attendees will have the chance to enjoy all the event has to offer, while also participating in the exciting ticket drawdown where one lucky winner will take home a grand prize of $10,000.00.

Cocktails for a Cause is more than just an evening out; it’s an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of local girls. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit Girls Inc. of Bay County, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Girls Inc. provides valuable programs and resources aimed at empowering young women to achieve their full potential and navigate life’s challenges with confidence.

“We are thrilled to host this special event in partnership with Girls Inc. of Bay County,” said Claire Sherman, Event Chair at Club 360. “Our goal is to create a memorable experience for our guests while raising critical funds to support the incredible work that Girls Inc. of Bay County is doing in our community. We encourage everyone to come out, have fun, and contribute to a cause that truly makes a difference.”

Tickets for Cocktails for a Cause are available at Tickets for Cocktails for a Cause Drawdown Party in Panama City from TicketLeap. All tickets include entry to the event, food and wine, and participation in the drawdown. Must be 21 years of age to participate and attend event.

For more information about the event, sponsorship opportunities, or to get involved, please contact Claire Sherman or Irene Field at club360bay@gmail.com or visit www.club360bay.org.

September 14, 2024
Meet Our Hometown Hero: Zachary Woodard and Lightz of Hope

By Michelle Ruschman

One of the greatest forces for good can be a child looking out for other children. Zachary Woodard was such a child and LightZ of Hope is his legacy through his parents, Brent and Susan, along with their team. Through this program, children who are hospitalized can receive fun lights that project color onto their walls and ceiling to create an atmosphere of fun and joy during a stay that might be hard and extended. The lights not only brighten their days, but also those of the staff and visitors as well.

Zachary was born on May 20, 2003, at 4 lbs., unable to breathe on his own or swallow. At one-month-old, he went through surgery for a tracheotomy and g-tube. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with Myotubular Myopathy, a disease that causes the muscles to stop developing. Needing a ventilator to help him breathe, he battled with numerous hospitalizations due to pneumonia or infection; however, even though his muscles were weak, he had a sharp mind.

Susan shares the day that Zachary planted the seed for their foundation. “Zachary was recovering from his spinal surgery when a dear friend came to visit us at the hospital and brought a strand of color-changing Christmas lights to decorate his room. Our friend, Monica, hung the lights around the bedrails, and every morning I would get up and turn the lights on. These very simple, inexpensive lights changed this sterile uninviting environment into an uplifting welcoming space. When Zachary woke up, he told me how much he liked his lights. That sweet face looked up at me and asked, ‘Do you think we could do this for other kids?’ I had the biggest smile on my face and responded, ‘Buddy! I love that idea! Let’s talk more about that when we get home.’ Well, Zachary went to be with Jesus not long after that conversation—very quickly and very unexpectedly he went to his eternal home.

Driving home from the hospital that day without Zachary was a total shock, but then it hit me. I said to my husband, Brent, ‘I know what God wants us to do! Zachary told me! We are supposed to gift lights to other kids who are being hospitalized.’ The idea for the foundation was born. After some collaboration with Zachary’s friends and family, we landed on LightZ of Hope. The capital Z is for Zachary. Hope is for all the medically fragile kids and their families. We all need hope to visualize a pathway towards something better. Our pastor used to say, ‘We all need hope to cope.’ And we do!”

Susan and her family know that the greatest relief from caring for a child with severe illness or disability can come from a community that just lets you know you aren’t walking it out alone. “Friends showed up at the hospital and prayed for us and with us. Sometimes, people did not know what to do, but they showed up. We call that the ‘showing up ministry.’ One of the ways we were supported was through meals and groceries. There was one lady in our small group who brought us a meal every week for months. There was another lady who would show up just to bring us groceries.”

Having felt that outpouring from her own circle, LightZ of Hope has grown in scope and opportunity into the CareZ program. “We also now provide financial assistance to families in a medical crisis. Families are identified through the social workers at the hospital and referred for a specific need like rental assistance due to loss of income. Other needs can include meals in the hospital, medications not covered by insurance, etc.”

Even as they miss him every day, getting to be there for other families has been a great source of joy for Zachary’s family. “Since we started our foundation, I have so many favorite stories, but this one in particular speaks to my heart. In December 2021, we had the privilege of providing financial support for many families in medical crisis. Brent and I had decided in advance that we would bless each family with $1000 during the Christmas season and I got to call each family personally to notify them. After one family was notified, the mother began to cry and exclaimed, ‘God heard my prayers!’ She said that the previous evening, she laid a bill on the table that they were unable to pay. The overdue bill was $990. She cried out to God for a way to pay this bill. Of course, we had nothing to do with any of those details, but God knew, and He met their needs through our foundation. We were able to be a light in their dark circumstances and were used to meet this family’s needs.”

Since their first delivery, The Zachary Woodard Foundation has gifted almost 10,000 LightZ of Hope across the U.S. and Alaska and has provided over $400,000 in financial assistance. Looking to grow their reach in Northwest Florida, they are hoping to find local partners who will help them develop the fundraising and outreach effort of their CareZ program by expanding their network of volunteers and donors. For information on how to become part of this incredible organization, email info@lightzofhope.org. You can also follow them on Instagram @LightZOfHope and Facebook, LightZ of Hope.

If you know a child with a medically complex condition or life-threatening diagnosis, nominate them to receive a gift from LightZ of Hope at lightzofhope.org/nominateachild.

September 13, 2024
Introducing: Rachel’s Bags of Love

In June of 2014, three-year-old Rachel Pitts was diagnosed with leukemia. Rachel’s cancer diagnosis was hard on the Pitts family. As an active and involved family of seven, childhood cancer was never a concern. After being transported to Sacred Heart in Pensacola, FL, Rachel and her mom would spend several weeks and months in and out of the hospital. The Pitts family would visit Rachel often, and the local Ronald McDonald House became a home away from home.

While visiting Rachel in the hospital, Rachel’s sister, Ady, noticed that other families who were unexpectedly admitted did not have the supplies needed for their stay. So, Ady began supplying bags filled with basic toiletries and coloring books, and called them “Bags of Love.”

Within a year, Ady provided over 200 bags to the hospital, and her elementary school hosted several donation drives to support her mission. At that time, everything seemed to be going incredibly well, until it wasn’t. The Pitts family could see the finish line for Rachel, and they were preparing for Rachel’s Make-A-Wish trip to go see Barney. But in November 2015, three days after Ady’s birthday, Rachel gained her angel wings. Heartbroken would be an understatement. Even though there was a six-year age difference, Ady and Rachel were best friends. From listening to Luke Bryan to watching Signing Time, Ady and Rachel did everything together. The Pitts family would never be the same.

To honor Rachel’s legacy, Bags of Love became Rachel’s Bags of Love. Since 2014, Rachel’s Bags of Love has provided over 800 bags to hospitals across the Panhandle. The mission is to provide families in the hospitals with care and necessities. Each bag contains $40 worth of basic supplies including full-size toiletries, activity books, a blanket, and a monkey. Rachel’s Bags of Love also raises awareness through fundraising events. When Ady was a student at Mosley High School, she hosted two Gold Strong football games to raise money for two students fighting cancer. Within two years she raised $6,000 to help alleviate the burden of childhood cancer. Outside of school, Ady and Rachel’s Bags of Love hosted two Golden Daddy Daughter Dances, a Breakfast for Dinner event, a Pickleball Tournament, and several running challenges. In March of 2023, Ady was the keynote speaker for Rally on the Runway where she helped raise half a million dollars for childhood cancer research. This year, 2024, marks ten years since starting Rachel’s Bags of Love, ten years of providing, fighting, and funding.

In August, Rachel’s Bags of Love is hosting a Night of Advocacy, a night filled with music, speakers, dinner, and silent and live auctions. The goal of the night is to fund one $50,000 research grant for childhood cancer. The event will take place on August 2, at Edgewater Event Center starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $100 a piece and all are welcome to spread awareness for childhood cancer. Sponsorships and auction items are greatly appreciated as well. Contact Rachel’s Bags of Love, Inc. at bagsofloveap@gmail.com for inquiries. Consider joining the fight, because no child should die from cancer.

May 9, 2024
UNwineD Returns to Panama City Beach April 5-6

Featuring Southern Living’s Ivy Odom and Sommelier Michael Green

Visit Panama City Beach is pleased to announce the return of the destination’s premier two-day culinary festival, UNwineD presented by Publix. Taking place April 5-6 at Aaron Bessant Park, the eighth annual event welcomes visitors and residents to take part in an unforgettable weekend showcasing craft beer, wine and spirits from around the world, plus culinary creations by some of the South’s leading chefs. This year’s event will feature Southern Living’s Senior Lifestyle Editor and notable culinary personality, Ivy Odom, as the guest chef and acclaimed wine expert Michael Green as the sommelier.

“We are thrilled to welcome visitors, as well as our local residents to Panama City Beach for the eighth annual UNwineD presented by Publix,” says Visit Panama City Beach President and CEO Dan Rowe. “With all-star tastemakers Ivy Odom and Michael Green joining this year’s Southern Living kickoff party and Grand Afternoon Tasting, we look forward to a memorable celebration spotlighting the spectacular cuisine, craft beer, wine and spirits from our region.”

The weekend’s festivities begin on Friday, April 5 at 6 p.m. with an exclusive kickoff party hosted by Southern Living and Visit Panama City Beach, featuring a southern menu curated by Ivy Odom paired with wines by Sommelier Michael Green. The one-of-a-kind night presents attendees with the opportunity to mix and mingle with the chef and sommelier while enjoying an evening of delectable cuisine and live music. Now available for purchase at a limited supply, tickets to the preview party are $195 per person and include early entry into Saturday’s event, plus a VIP gift bag with commemorative UNwineD glasses. Ticket holders for the Southern Living kickoff party must be 21 and older.

On Saturday, April 6, UNwineD officially gets underway with the Grand Afternoon Tasting, beginning at 1 p.m., with the option to purchase an early entry ticket for noon admission. Early entry tickets provide first access to all vendors and a “Meet with Mimosas” with Chef Ivy Odom and Sommelier Michael Green. The Grand Afternoon Tasting invites guests to sip and savor an array of wine, craft beer and spirits in addition to delicious bites from the region’s top chefs while enjoying wine seminars, cooking demos and live musical performances from local artists. Throughout the afternoon, attendees can browse unique treasures and artwork from local shops and boutiques at the Art and Vendor Row, stop by the Visit Panama City Beach retail tent, sample mouthwatering bites and beverages from the Publix tent, and much more.

Tickets to the Grand Afternoon Tasting are $85 per person and ticket holders must be 21 and older. Kids 12 and under are permitted at no charge but must be accompanied by an adult. A portion of all ticket sales will benefit the Make-A-Wish, Heartland Animal Rescue and Beach Care Services charities.

For more information about UNwineD and to purchase tickets, please visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/unwined.

March 4, 2024
Walk Like MADD/MADD DASH 5K Sept. 23

By Paul Bonnette

In May of 2021, WMBB Reporter Tess Rowland had a head-on collision with a drunk driver driving down the wrong side of the road. Miraculously, Rowland survived, though she suffered multiple broken bones and internal injuries. Her recovery involved seven surgeries, metal plates, and screws. Two years later she still lives with daily pain. Rowland has taken that traumatic experience and embarked on a mission to spread awareness of the dangers of drunk driving as the National President of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

On Saturday, September 23, MADD’s Northwest Florida Chapter will be hosting its signature fundraising event “Walk Like MADD & MADD DASH 5K” at Gulf Coast State College. The organization will also be holding the second annual #TessStrong Food Truck Fest which includes plenty of food trucks, giveaways from sponsors, and even a safety fair with activities from local first responders including a drunk goggle obstacle course.

According to Rowland, this 5k event and food truck fest is all about bringing the community together to prevent drunk and impaired driving. “Our events such as Walk Like MADD [help] bring together the community to take a step toward the future of no more victims of this 100% preventable crime,” she explains. For Rowland, combining the organization’s popular 5k event with an inaugural food truck fest last year proved to be a massive success and one that she is excited to bring back in September.

“It is a variation of our Walk Like MADD event which is one of our biggest fundraisers and we are also combining the #TessStrong Food Truck Fest, says Rowland. “The TessStrong Fest was an idea that was born last year… I wanted to bring together the community, both law enforcement as well as local businesses and the general population for a fun event to educate people and really make people aware of what drunk driving is, how prevalent it is unfortunately in the Panama City area, and how it could be prevented.”Last year proved how popular the addition of the TessStrong Food Truck Fest would be as the event raised thousands of dollars to not only go toward preventing drunk driving but to support victims as well.

For Kristen Allen, the Affiliate Executive Director of MADD, the event promises to have something for everyone. “It’s like two events in one,” she explains. “Since we have the walkers and runners coming to this event we just thought it would make sense to do the second annual TessStrong Food Truck Fest. More people will come from the community to do the interactive activities that we have with law enforcement.”

MADD’s signature Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash 5k event start at 9:30 a.m. at Gulf Coast State College. Entry is free, but there is a minimal fee for runners and 5k walkers. The #TessStrong Food Truck event runs until 2 p.m. at Carl Gray Park on Collegiate Drive. Everyone who finishes the race will receive a finisher’s medal and a mini doughnut from one of the food trucks. For more information on this event and to register for the Walk Like MADD/MADD Dash 5k please visit madd.itsyourrace.com.

September 14, 2023