Destin Woman's Club Fashion Show Helps the Children

Over 400 Emerald Coast trendsetters and CIC supporters turned out to see the Destin Woman’s Club “Steppin’ Out With Style” Fall Luncheon and Fashion Show. The show was held on October 17th at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, and was the fifth year for the event. All proceeds benefit CIC and the Children’s Neighborhood.
The gala was a wonderful event thanks to the Fashion Show committee Chair Teri McCall and the Destin Woman’s Club membership. Thanks also to all the business sponsors and donors who made the show an unequaled success in every respect.
Photo L to R: Teri McCall, Committee Chair, Ken Hair, CIC Executive Director and Susan Polley, President, Destin Woman’s Club

Kids Helping Kids

Megan and Miranda from the internet children’s reality show, “The Megan and Miranda Show” recently visited the CIC Children’s Neighborhood. The children-centered show is featured on www.DreamingofDestin.com and is filled with interesting fun things for children.

The M&M Girlz also presented a check to Children in Crisis to join Kid’s Club. Ric Eddins, founder of the website and show, helped out with a donation of an electric motor scooter for the Neighborhood.

While visiting the Neighborhood, Megan and Miranda also gave the children CDs, DVDs and autographed photos and other memorabilia.

Golfers Help Children in Crisis!

Thanks to great community support the 2nd Annual CIC Children’s Neighborhood Charity Golf Tournament raised an estimated $50,000 in contributions and in-kind donations of prizes, food, services, signs and support!

The tournament was held last week at the Ft. Walton Beach Golf Club and was presented by First Command Financial Services, a full service financial organization committed to helping families plan for and pursue financial success.  Dooley Mack Constructors, builder for the next two homes in the Children’s Neighborhood, also joined as a major sponsor this year.

The golf tournament format was a best ball select shot and golfers competed for a wide array of wonderful prizes.  Congratulations to the team of Mike Sapp, Mo Evans, Mark Ketchum and Jim Grabo, who won the event with a net score of 57.  Bob Young won the closest to the pin prize and Ann Svitanek won the longest drive contest.

Ken Hair, Executive Director, Children in Crisis, commented, “First Command’s support to the abused, neglected and abandoned children of our community for the second consecutive year is a true commitment of caring.  First Command’s support and our other major sponsors, Dooley Mack Constructors, Impact Graphics Sign Co., Lesgo Personal Chef, Polyengineering, Chrysler and American Laser ensured the tournament would be a success.  All proceeds from the tournament will help feed, clothe and care for the children of The Children’s Neighborhood.”

Hair continued, “There was a special live auction prize this year that really raised the excitement level of the golfers and participants.  Goodyear donated a 30 minute ride for six on the Goodyear Blimp.  Jackie Gillespie won the prize with a final bid of $3,000.

According to Mack Gay, President, CIC Board of Directors, “This is a wonderful show of support to our kids living at the Children’s Neighborhood.  I’d like to thanks the participants, sponsors, committee members, staff and the entire community for all they do for our at-risk children.”

CIC Breaks Ground on the Third Building in the Children’s Neighborhood!

Children in Crisis, Inc. broke ground on the Neighborhood Center this week which is the third building in the Children’s Neighborhood.  The Neighborhood Center will house the staff offices, administrative offices, case worker offices, intake office, therapy rooms and observation room.  The Susanna Wesley House emergency shelter and Blessings House foster home were opened in January.

CIC has contracted with Dooley Mack Constructors of Northwest Florida to build the one-story, 3200 square foot facility.  The Neighborhood Center was designed by Prescott Architects, Inc. with a child-friendly atmosphere.

Dooley Mack Constructors, Inc. began as a small General Contracting firm in Sarasota, Florida in 1977 and has sustained steady growth under the leadership of Bill Dooley and Ken Smith.  They have been consistently recognized as one of the top regional contractors by Gulf Coast Business Review, are listed nationally in the “Top 400 Contractors” by Engineering News Record magazine and are recognized as one to the top 200 privately owned business by Florida Trend.

The NW Florida regional office was established in 2005 in Panama City, Florida and is now located in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.  Its growing staff of highly qualified individuals is led by Mr. Neil Freshour.  Mr. Freshour is a licensed General Contractor with over 28 years in the construction business.

Mack Gay, President, CIC Board of Directors, commented, “This is truly another milestone for CIC and our vision.  Thanks to the great support from the community, we’ve taken another step in providing homes and establishing hope to the abused, neglected and abused children of our community!”

According to Ken Hair, the CIC Executive Director, “Our progress would not have been possible without the entire community’s involvement.  OWC provides the Neighborhood site through a charity lease and our partnership with numerous local construction companies have enabled us to progress quickly.  We are truly blessed to have such a supportive community”

Hair added, “We still need funding support to our capital campaign so we can continue building phase 1 of the Children’s Neighborhood.  Equally important is securing the necessary funding to help feed, clothe and care for the children living at the Children’s Neighborhood.  Now that we’re open and operating, this is critical to our success.”

"Sir Douglas Fir" Helps the Children

The Shalimar United Methodist Church recently hosted the production of “The Journey of Sir Douglas Fir,” a children’s musical to raise funds to help feed and clothe children of The CIC Children’s Neighborhood.  Pastor Dr. Larry Bryars, presented a check to Children in Crisis, Inc. for almost $6,000 at a ceremony on Sunday.

According to Ken Hair, CIC Executive Director, “The donation couldn’t have come at a better time!  We opened the first two homes of the Children’s Neighborhood for abused, neglected and abandoned children this February and we have a critical need for funds to keep the Neighborhood open and operating.”

Mack Gay, President, CIC Board of Directors, commented, “We’re very thankful for the support of Shalimar United Methodist Church and the entire faith community.  We sincerely thank the production coordinators, Logene Solberg, and Jo Yeager and the entire cast and membership for their wonderful commitment of caring to our at-risk children.”

The Children’s Neighborhood is located on Hurlburt Field Road, Ft. Walton Beach and has an emergency shelter for young children that are removed from an unsafe environment on short notice.  The Neighborhood also has a group home to provide a more stable, long-term home and keep siblings from being separated.  The Neighborhood will provide homes to hundreds of children each year.

The Children's Neighborhood is Now Open!

On Janurary 27, 2008, CIC celebrated the grand opening of the Children's Neighborhood by hosting a Grand Housewarming Party at the homes of the Chilren's Neighborhood. It was such a wonderful opportunity to show our community the hard work and dedication put into the homes by all.

The Sheriff's Deputy on site estimated about 600 people in attendance! CIC would like to thank the community for such a wonderful outpouring of generosity and support, we couldn't have done it without you!

We now have the capability to provide homes and establish hope to the at risk children of our community.

The Chances were Sold and the Drawing has Taken Place

Drs. Robert and Venita Morrell were the lucky winners of the Jeep. If you see them out and about, please congratulate them on winning the Jeep.

The Morrell family very generously decided to donate the Jeep back to CIC for our organization's use! We thank the Morrell family for making such a generous donation to Children in Crisis!

American Laser Teams up with Cuvee Beach fundraiser
benefiting Children in Crisis

Community trendsetters and Children In Crisis, Inc. (CIC) supporters were seen at Cuvee Beach for several Thursday evening events in September and October to relax and have a little fun while raising funds to help feed and clothe the children of the CIC Children’s Neighborhood.

The fundraising events were a great success thanks to the event coordinators, Solange Jazayeri, Ingrid Coats and Ernie Danjean.  The event was sponsored by American Laser Center, Ft. Walton Beach and hosted by Cuvee Beach Cellar & Wine Bar Restaurant, Destin.

Ken Hair, Executive Director, CIC, commented, “Thanks to everyone’s great support and the volunteers, the four events raised critical funds to care for the children of our Children’s Neighborhood. Every effort was made to give the attendees a wonderful evening with an elegant touch.”

Pictured in photo, left to right:  Solange Jazayeri, Clinic Manager, American Laser Centers, Ken Hair, CIC Executive Director; Ingrid Coats, Marketing & PR Manager, American Laser and Ernie Danjean, General Manager, Cuvee Beach Cellar & Wine Bar Restaurant.

Hurlburt Chiefs Join CIC Kids Club!

Hurlburt Chiefs Group joined the Children in Crisis, Inc. Kid’s Club to show their strong support to the abused, neglected and abandoned children of our community.  By joining the CIC Kid’s Club, the Hurlburt Chiefs Group pledged to donate $1,000 annually to help feed and clothe the children of the CIC Children’s Neighborhood.

CMSgt Carol Jackson, President, Hurlburt Chiefs Group, presented the donation to Ken Hair, Executive Director, Children in Crisis at the September membership meeting with over 50 Chiefs in attendance.  Chief Jackson also pledged the group’s volunteer support.

Hair commented, “Our community doesn’t have an emergency shelter for abused, neglected and abandoned infants and young children.  Additionally, there is a severe shortage of foster homes in our community and many foster children are placed in homes that are over capacity.  This causes siblings to be separated, children to be placed out of their county and moved from foster home to foster home – some as many as 10 times per year.”

Hair continued, “Military and civilian children of our community fall under the same foster program.  I’m very thankful that the membership of Hurlburt Chiefs Group took on the challenge to make a difference in the life of a child.”

Area Designers Help Furnish the CIC Children’s Neighborhood!

Thanks to great community support, the CIC Children’s Neighborhood is taking shape!  Area interior designers have pitched in to help furnish the two homes that are nearing completion.  The emergency shelter for abused, neglected and abandoned children and the first foster home will open soon and the entire community will be invited to the Neighborhood site for a House Warming and Ribbon Cutting on Sunday, December 9, 2007, 2:00 pm.

Ken Hair, Executive Director, Children in Crisis, commented, “I am truly amazed and very thankful for the great support from our community.  The wonderful commitment from area interior designers and businesses has played a vital role in our progress.  Just a few of the business that have helped us with the design, décor and furnishings of the first two homes are; Porter-Smith Designs, Inc., Infinity Flooring, Destin Lighting, Sugar Beach Interiors, Interior Detailers Inc., Shaw Industries, Dal-Tile, United Lighting and Supply Co., Cabinet Source, G & L Marble, Florida Bath & Surfaces, Gulf South Distributors, Americasmart, Palm Paper & Supply, W Design and Planning Group, Arts TV and Appliance, Independent Flooring, Lafayette Interior Fashions, Corporate Design Systems, Leigh Wright Interior Design, Inc. and many more.  What a true community effort!”

Sharilyn Darnell, Past President of the CIC Board of Directors, came up with the idea of involving the design experts of our community and called on Kelly Porter-Smith of Porter-Smith Designs.  Kelly formed the committee of designers who are also dedicated to helping with CIC’s vision of providing homes and establishing hope to the children in crisis of our community.

Mack Gay, President of the CIC Board of Directors pointed out, “The Children’s Neighborhood and all we’re doing for the children of our community wouldn’t have been possible without the complete support of our area businesses!  From the very start, we’ve had help with the site preparation, infrastructure and construction.  We are truly blessed by their efforts!”

Pictured in Photo: Brittney Welsh, Sugar Beach Interiors Inc., Robin Lowrey, Sugar Beach Interiors, Inc., Kathy Fyock, Destin Lighting, Glenda King, Interior Detailers Inc., Leisa Johnson, Infinity Flooring, Ashley Vogt, Corporate Design Systems, Mike King, Interior Detailers, Inc., Kelly Porter-Smith, Porter-Smith Designs, Inc. Leigh Wright, Leigh Wright Interior Design, Inc.

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation Donates Funds for
The Children's Neighborhood

The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation presented a $152,000 check to Children in Crisis, Inc. on July 25, 2007. The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation donated checks totaling $414,000 to three non-profit organizations. Along with Children in Crisis, Inc., the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and the Sacred Heart Foundation also received checks, as well as the Clinton Cox foundation, providing much needed funds for all of the organizations. The check presentation ceremony was held at the Tim Creehan Culinary Center in Miramar Beach.

This money was raised for children's charities from the Second Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction, held on April 20th and 21st. The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation tries to focus on the connection of wine enthusiasts in support of children in our community.

Tommy Bahama Dress Rehearsal raises funds for Children in Crisis, Inc.

July 19th, 20th and 21st The Tommy Bahama restaurant and store in Grand Boulevard, Sandestin partnered with Children In Crisis, Inc. to raise vital funding to help feed and clothe the children of the CIC Children’s Neighborhood.  During the dress rehearsals, the restaurant was at maximum capacity all three days with CIC supporters and community leaders.  100% of funds from drink sales were donated to Children In Crisis, raising over $14,000! Thanks Tommy Bahama, CIC supporters and members of our community.

Eglin AFSA Chapter 554 Helps with Children’s Neighborhood

Air Force Sergeants Association, Eglin Chapter 554 helped with a recent clean up day at The Children’s Neighborhood. The volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help pick up debris and clear the site in preparation for the Construction in Progress Open House. MSgt Michael Crow Chapter 554 and SMSgt Jere Brewer coordinated the event.  Over 30 volunteers came out to help with the clean up day!

CMSgt (Ret) Ken Hair, Executive Director of Children in Crisis, Inc. commented, “The Eglin community doesn’t have an emergency shelter for abused, neglected and abandoned infants, toddlers and young children.  Additionally, there is a severe shortage of foster homes in our community and many foster children are placed in homes that are over capacity.  This causes siblings to be separated, children to be placed out of their county and moved from foster home to foster home – some as many as 10 times per year.”

Chief Hair continued, “Military and civilian children of our community fit in under the same foster program.  I’m very thankful that the membership of AFSA Chapter 554/A554 took on the challenge to make a difference in the life of a child.  A BIG THANKS to all who participated in the Children’s Neighborhood Clean Up Day!  It is volunteers, such as these wonderful people, that help make the Children’s Neighborhood dream become a reality!”

The First Annual Children In Crisis Golf Tournament: Benefitting The Children's Neighborhood

Thanks to the great community support and hard work from the committee and all the volunteers, the first CIC Children’s Neighborhood Charity Golf Tournament raised over $42,000 in contributions and in-kind donations of food, services, signs and support!  The tournament was held on April 13th and was presented by First Command Financial Services, a full service financial organization committed to helping families plan for and pursue financial success.

The golf tournament format was a best ball select shot and almost two hundred golfers competed for a wide array of wonderful prizes.  Congratulations to the team of Jim Bryan, David Wolfe, Tommy Swanson and Charlie Johnson, who won the event with a net score of 57.

Ken Hair, Executive Director, Children in Crisis, commented, “First Command’s commitment and all of our great sponsors are great examples of the kind of support we’ve had to the abused, neglected and abandoned children of our community.  All proceeds from the tournament will help feed, clothe and care for the children of The Children’s Neighborhood.”

According to Mack Gay, President, CIC Board of Directors, “The Children’s Neighborhood is well on the way to becoming a reality!  Concrete trucks are busy, the walls are up and the roof trusses are being installed.  The emergency shelter for infants, toddlers and young children and the first group home for foster children are scheduled to open this fall.