The SpARC ISSUE: September 2018 We Like Big Boats... & We Can Not Lie! 2018 marked the 3rd Client Cruise that the Arc of the Emerald Coast’s staff accompanies clients on. This year 21 clients and 10 staff members sailed the high seas to the Bahamas. The trip lasted five days and was filled with dancing, laughs, food and fun! With the staff’s support, the experience provides the opportunity for the Arc of the Emerald Coast’s clients to be included in typical events and activities that nondisabled individuals get to enjoy. While on the cruise, our clients can be “just like everyone else.” If you would like to find out more about the next client cruise or how you can contribute, please contact our main office at 850-863-1530. To stay in the know, like us on Facebook @TheArcoftheEmeraldCoast This Issue: Front Page Arc Emerald Coast Annual Cruise Page Dream Wheels Arrive in Milton DCWAF Pours Purpose Page 3 ECPH Chili Cook-Off Brings the Heat Arc EC goes to DD Day EC Hospice supports Princess Ball Page 4 BUTB 2018 Brings out the Munster United Way gives Impact to Arc EC Page 5 Lions Tale Catches Arc EC Hearts Having a Bash at Blueberry Bash Page 6 Arc Angels Arc EC Employee Anniversaries Page 7 Flashing Forward
Dream Wheels Arrive At Arc EC’s Milton Location! A dream has come true thanks to the “Dream Wheels” grant awarded by Impact 100 Pensacola Bay Area. Many men and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities often go without social interaction, life skills and inclusion into the community. The Dream Wheels grant provided two accessible vans to the Milton location so that individuals and families seeking a Life Skills Development program can gain access to one. Over 40 families who care for their adult disabled child are currently on a waiting list and actively seeking access to such a program. Many of these family member caregivers are unable to take them for many reasons including but not limited to: caregiver working, aging caregivers ability to transfer, or lack of accessible or reliable transportation. This Dream Wheels program allows The Arc of the Emerald Coast’s Milton location to offer safe and reliable transportation to those waiting for this service, as well as, reliable transportation for our existing clients. We thank our community and Impact 100 Bay Area for giving hope to those who desperately need it. DCWAF Pours Purpose into the children of The Arc of the Emerald Coast Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) awards The Arc of the Emerald Coast with $145,000! Marked as the 3rd largest charity wine auction in the Nation, this year alone DCWAF poured out $2.7 million dollars to 15 local nonprofits serving children in Northwest Florida. Since 2005, DCWAF has donated over $18 million dollars to our community! These funds are raised through events such as the Harvest Wine Festival held in October/ November, Tasting of Champions held in January/February, and most notably the Destin Charity Wine Auction held in April, in conjunction with the South Walton Food & Wine Festival. The Arc of the Emerald Coast uses the funds awarded to support our Early Intervention Program, The Children’s Center daycare and support our Family Education and Support programs. Many families within our community often encounter the struggle of finding out that their child has a developmental delay. According to the CDC 1 in 7 children are diagnosed with a developmental disability. The Arc of the Emerald Coast’s programs help support families and these children with Early Intervention services that help the child’s development, our Children’s Center includes all children in a typical daycare setting along side their peers with and without disabilities. The Arc of the Emerald Coast’s programs give parents, caregivers and the individual the support they need to live as typical life as they can possibly have. The Arc of the Emerald Coast thanks Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation for their support in our community and providing hope for our children and families.
Emerald Coast Parrot Heads Chili Cook-Off Brings the Heat! Chili Masters came to compete and our community showed out to eat at the Annual Emerald Coast Parrot Head’s Chili Cook-Off. Known for their “Party with a Purpose” mission, the Emerald Coast Parrot Heads once again made this party’s purpose about The Arc of the Emerald Coast. All proceeds raised go to support the Arc Emerald Coast’s mission, “From Disability to Capability”, as we serve men, women and children of our community with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The support from the Emerald Coast Parrot Head’s and our community is essential to the The Arc of the Emerald Coast’s success in continuing to provide needed services to the over 450 individuals in Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties. Emerald Coast Hospice Supports the Emerald Coast Princess Ball Matched with a passion to help those who cannot help themselves, Emerald Coast Hospice honors The Arc of the Emerald Coast with a check from the 2018 Emerald Coast Princess Ball. Over the past four years, Emerald Coast Hospice has been the top sponsor of The Arc of the Emerald Coast’s event, The Emerald Coast Princess Ball. This event is a father-daughter style dance and dinner for girls 2-14 years of age and holds the hearts of couples in attendance and our community. With the growth and popularity of the event, the 2018 Princess Ball was pleased to find a new home at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. The space allowed the ability to accommodate more fathers and daughters. Along with Emerald Coast Hospice, generous sponsorships from Twin Cities Hospital, B -Boy Productions and Southern Belle Photography of Destin make this a magical night. We are pleased to announce that the money raised from this years Princess Ball exceeded every year before. As always, the proceeds from this event go to support the Arc’s mission “From Disability to Capability”. The Annual Emerald Coast Princess Ball takes place the 3rd Friday in May. More information can be found on facebook @EmeraldCoastPrincessBall Developmental Disability Day 2018 The Arc of the Emerald Coast joins 700 other advocates and agencies in Tallahassee for Developmental Disability Day. Annually, The Arc of Florida along with the Florida Developmental Disability Counsel (FDDC) bring advocates and agencies together in taking a collective stand in addressing issues and posing solutions to our local and state representatives. Alining all disability groups to stand strong for positive legislative actions is one way the voices of many become heard.
Burning Up the Beaches Brought the Munster Out! Cruisin, Showin, Partyin...that’s what Burning Up The Beaches is all about! 2018 marked the 9th Burning Up The Beaches Car Show & Cruise. Annually, BUTB is held the first weekend in May. BUTB is growing as one of the best cruise and car show in the Southeast. The full three day event begins on Thursday at AJ’s on the Bayou with the pre-registration party. On Friday Cruise & Show participants head to five different local “Hot Stops” where games, prizes and fun are had by all. This year we were proud to have the infamous Eddie Munster and his Munster Mobiles. 2018 also brought out new stops for our Cruisers and a couple of our old favorite stops. We were thankful to have What-A-Burger kick off the Friday cruise by getting cruisers motors running with coffee and games. We also welcomed Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone to the cruise line up where cruisers can ignite their inner child with mini golf, 4D movie, and games. Henderson Beach State Park welcomed our cruisers to what the Emerald Coast is all about, our beautiful beaches! Our cruisers were glad to have AJ’s in Destin, which is always voted as the TOP stop! We were thrilled to see many returning faces and welcomed several newbies into the BUTB family! This show is one of a kind, not only for the Cruisin, Partyin & Showin, but for the purpose of this event. BUTB brings hope and need to the individuals served by The Arc of the Emerald Coast. United Way Makes an Impact at The Arc EC with Impact Grant The United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties awarded over $420,000 dollars to 18 community partners this year. Last year, United Way of Okaloosa Walton adopted a new “Community Impact” model and is using Impact Grants as their way to award money to their community partners. The funding is geared to supporting three areas of interest for impact into our community: Health, Education, and Financial Stability. The Arc of the Emerald Coast was awarded $50,000 through the Impact Grant for acquiring a needed wheelchair accessible van. Transportation is one of the top issues that plagues the disabled community. The Arc of the Emerald Coast’s fleet of vehicles average over 197,000 miles and are often over warn, rusted, and need frequent repair. The Arc’s services provide needed access to community services for our individuals that is often taken for granted. Having reliable transportation to doctors appointments, socialization and education programs as well as recreation activities in the community is a vital need for the 450 individuals The Arc of the Emerald Coast serves. We are thankful to the United Way for acknowledging how essential safe and reliable transportation is within our community and providing a resource to meet this need. ** If you know someone who would like to receive information on how to help provide additional accessible vehicles, please contact our main office at: 850863-1530 Of Our Dear Friend & Supporter President of the Playground Corvette Club Arc of the Emerald Coast’s 2018 Volunteer Group of the Year
Lions Tale Adventures Catches Clients Hearts! As the saying goes… “Teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a lifetime.” Captain Lionel James, owner, operator and captain of Lions Tale Adventures has been teaching our clients to fish this year...and feeding their hearts for a lifetime! At the beginning of 2018, Captain James came to The Arc of the Emerald Coast with a mission to include the men and women we serve in a Lions Tale Adventure! Monthly, Captain James donates a fishing trip; each trip awards three Arc clients an experience few get to have! Captain James helps our clients bait, cast, reel, and hook fish along the Choctawhatchee Bay. Afterward, in partnership with The Gulf Okaloosa restaurant, our new anglers are treated to lunch and share their big fish “Lions Tale” adventure! The open air, salt on the skin, and experience of catching a fish brings light and joy to all. The Arc of the Emerald Coast thank Captain James for seeing the value in the lives he has touched with his generosity. The Arc of the Emerald Coast looks forward at these continued adventures and the memories made! We encourage anyone looking for a fishing charter to book with Lions Tale Adventures! Having a BLAST at the Blueberry Bash in Milton Blueberries were bursting in the fields as hundreds came out to pick the bushes clean at The Arc of the Emerald Coast’s annual Blueberry Bash, June 23rd in Milton. The Blueberry Bash has is an event the entire community looks forward to all year! From the early morning 5k race to the various vendors lining the property, the Blueberry Bash isn’t just for picking the delicious berries. The lively music encompasses the grounds and the smell of food and sweet treats feed the hearts of young and old. A true family experience, the Blueberry Bash brings everyone together and really shows the heart of The Arc of the Emerald Coast and our community. This year the new Community Development Coordinator for the Milton location, Josh Schwitzerlett, took the lead and implemented some wonderful additions to the event. Most notable, and well received, was the option for pickers to fill a bucket for a flat rate vs weighing per pound. The blueberry barn showed off the skills of The Arc’s resident green thumb, Jennifer. Also new this year is our Blueberry Cookbook which will be sold throughout the year. We can not wait to see how the Blueberry Bash bursts in coming years!
Debbie Roberts Janis Bishop Dr. Les Fleischer Buffalo’s Reef Dr. Scott Smith Gloria Frazier Jay Ghosh Matt Turpin The mission of the Arc Angels program, in partnership with the Horizons Foundation, is to firmly support and protect the mission of the Arc of the Emerald Coast, “Providing a path from disability to capability”. Arc Angels, as an entity, help to fill the gaps between income sources and costs related to services, and provide security to the agency as a whole. For more information on how you or your business can become an Arc Angel, please contact: LA Woodall, Foundation Director LaWoodallHorizons@gmail.com 850-259-4142 August: 22nd: Earnestine Simmons -20 years September: 17th: Tanya Ingram- 10 years 17th: Esic Rhodes - 10 years October: 4th: Courtney Jordan - 5 years 7th: Catherine Reed - 5 years 22nd: Gerald Dain - 20 years December: 7th: Toni McCormick - 20 years Dr. Julia McNabb Sammy Shelton CCB Bank EC Harley Davidson FWB Medical Center Lord & Sons Bonding Solutions
Flashing Forward Upcoming Events November: 20th - Festival of Trees @ Grande Blvd, Sandestin 27th - Giving Tuesday December: Christmas Masquerade Ball - Date TBD In the season of giving, Lions Tale Adventures will be hosting a Masquerade Ball to benefit The Arc of the Emerald Coast and one other charity. For information on tickets and event details, please stay tune to Lions Tale Adventures and The Arc of the Emerald Coast’s Facebook and website. October through December Poinsettia Sales Orders, $25 each, delivery available for additional fee. To place order email Erin Thatcher at ethatcher.arcec@gmail.com or call 850-863-1530. Remember to shop Amazon Smile and give every time you shop! SHOP SUPPORT GIVE
123 Truxton Ave Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 850-863-1530 ph 850-862-4589 fax www.arcemeraldcoast.org
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