Women United Empowers Local Teens with Mental Health Tools and Support
On Nov. 16, United Way Emerald Coast’s Women United hosted a transformative EmpowHER Seminar at the Boys and Girls Club of South Walton. Presented by Eglin Federal Credit Union, the event provided local teens with essential mental health resources, empowering educational tools, and a supportive community to foster self-confidence and resilience. Designed to address the growing need for mental health support across Okaloosa and Walton counties, the seminar featured interactive workshops facilitated by
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast Announce 4th Annual Brunchfest Winners
Congratulations to the amazing winners of the 4th Annual BrunchFest! Your delicious creations stole the show and left us craving more! Thank you to sponsors, cook teams, volunteers, staff, and attendees for a day of delicious brunch benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. &##127869;️✨ Kids' Choice: &##129353;3rd Place: Slim Chickens (seen here) &##129352;2nd Place: Sauce Boss Burger Co. &##129351;1st Place: Lesgo Personal Chef Judges' Choice: &##129353;3rd Place: Don Cha Peruvian
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast After-School Program Registration Is Open
Registration for our 2024-2025 after-school program is now open! All registration will take place online through our Parent Portal. Have questions? Please contact your local Club.Register here.
CAA Receives NEA Funding for Partnership with PWMC
The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts project award of $20,000. This matching grant will support public art and arts education at the Point Washington Medical Clinic. In total, the NEA will award 958 Grants for Arts Projects awards totaling more than $27.1 million that were announced as part of its first round of fiscal year 2024 grants. “The NEA is delighted to announce this grant
Auditions for NFB Académie 2024-2025 Academic Year Scheduled for April 20 & 21
The Northwest Florida Ballet (NFB) Académie is now taking audition appointment reservations for the 2024-2025 academic year. All auditions will take place at the NFB Studios, the Sybil Lebherz Center for Dance Education, located at 310 Perry Avenue SE in Fort Walton Beach. Incoming third-grade students will audition on April 20 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and April 21 from 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Incoming fourth-grade students will audition on April 20 from 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Appointment reservations are required
6th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival Raises $60,000 for The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
The 6th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at Destin Commons was a huge success. The event raised $60,000 in support of all local club kids. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence through its programs focused on academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. "Our
Boys & Girls of the Emerald Coast Opens Summer 2024 Registration
Registration for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast summer program is now open. All registration will take place through the online parent portal. Learn more and register here.
American Legion Destin Announces 2024 Florida American Legion Boy’s State Program
American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students. A participatory program in which students become part of the operation of local, county, and state government, Boys State was founded in 1935 to counter the socialism-inspired Young Pioneer Camps. The program was the idea of two Illinois Legionnaires, Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card, who organized the first Boys State at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in
CAA Partners With Boys & Girls Club Of The Emerald Coast To Expand Programs
The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast to expand its Youth Arts Education program for club members and produce a high-quality mural that will serve as a source of inspiration and education to club visitors and participants. The new 20’ x 20’ (approximate) mural installation is near completion and featured on the blue architectural wall at the entrance of the South Walton club on Boys & Girls Club Way near
Emerald Coast Theatre Company Presents Four Special Events
Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) at Grand Boulevard in Sandestin proudly presents four special events coming up in September and October. MDQ Mixtape, An Evening With Bryan Kennedy and Kevin Boyle, Comedy On the Boulevard, and Me and my Gal - A live Judy Garland and Gene Kelly Musical Tribute are all so different that they bring something for every audience. "There is nothing like a night at the theatre, whether you are signing along, laughing or grooving to the music. These four special events are
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast's June Jam Event is Back June 24th
The Boys and Girls Clubs family-friendly June Jam event is Saturday, June 24th, 2023 from 11 AM-4 PM at the Pensacola Boys and Girls Club. Bring your lawn chairs, enjoy music, entertainment, carnival games, community resources, free food, kick-ball games and more! "June Jam is a chance for families and friends to spend quality time together, and celebrate community, all while learning more about existing resources." - Leslie Mickles, Vice President of Financial Advancement of Boys and Girls Clubs of the
Join Our Team at Boys & Girls Clubs of The Emerald Coast
WE'RE HIRING! We have seasonal and year positions available in Santa Rosa Beach, Destin, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach & DeFuniak Springs. Click here to learn more about joining our team.
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Veteran Broadway Performer Amy Hamel Announced as Director for Emerald Coast Theatre Company's Summer Musical Theatre Intensive: Grease
Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of esteemed Broadway performer Amy Hamel as the director for their upcoming Musical Theatre Intensive production of Grease (High School Version). Amy Hamel, renowned for her exceptional talent and extensive experience on Broadway, will bring her expertise and passion to the creative helm of ECTC's Musical Theatre Intensive. As director, Hamel will guide aspiring young performers through an intensive program, providing invaluable
We're Celebrating our 18th Birthday
18 years of CVHN. As our ‘milestone’ birthday lit up on the April calendar, it caught us all by surprise. Our dental clinic was in full swing serving the children of Butler Elementary while our full team prepared to support the Destin Charity Wine Auction weekend. In that same week, our service summary report showed us another HUGE milestone - $8 Million in services provided free to children in need over these 18 years. These numbers leave us overwhelmed with gratitude. It is with the time, love, and
21 Graduate from Chamber’s Community Education & Leadership Program
On May 2, the Destin Chamber celebrated the graduation of 21 business professionals from its 14th Destin Forward class. During the event, the prestigious Destin Forward Leadership Award, chosen by class vote, was presented to Kayla O’Leary of Waypoint Title. She is seen in the photo on the left with Chamber Chairman Jason Belcher, FNBT Bank. Destin Forward, a community education and leadership program, was created to help find and educate future city and business leaders. After a retreat in August, the
Emerald Coast Theatre Company Summer Camp Registration is Open
Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) will be offering many summer camp options for children this summer. Dance, sing, act, or be behind the scenes in one (or more) of these fantastic summer camps. Many of the camps are being held at ECTC in Grand Boulevard in Miramar Beach, but there are a few options in Seaside, Panama City and Defuniak Springs. Payment plans are always available. More information on the camps and registration is available at emeraldcoasttheatre.org/summer-camps. The Mini Player Camps
Auditions for NFB Academie Scheduled for April
The Northwest Florida Ballet (NFB) Académie is now taking audition appointment reservations for the 2023-2024 academic year. Auditions for incoming third-grade students will take place on April 22 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and April 23 from 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Incoming fourth-grade students will audition on April 22 from 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Appointment reservations are required and must be made by 2 p.m. on April 20 for all auditions. All auditions will take place at the NFB studios, the Sybil Lebherz
4th Annual Shrimp & Grits Festival Raises $50,000 for The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
The 4th Annual Shrimp & Grits Festival held on Saturday, February 25th, 2023, at Brotula's Seafood House & Steamer was a huge success. The event raised a record-breaking $50,000 and welcomed more than 1,500 attendees in support of all local club kids. "We are truly blessed to live in a Community that continuously comes together to support the next generation and invest in the youth of our region. We must continue to seek out opportunities to speak light into the next generation and provide them with the
Back Beach Barbecue and Idyll Hounds Brewing Company Beer Dinner Raises $2,670 for HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Back Beach Barbecue and Idyll Hounds Brewing Company hosted an intimate Beer Dinner at Back Beach Barbecue on Thursday, March 2. Through donations and ticket sales, the evening raised $2,670 in support of HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Over 50 guests gathered for a private dining experience, featuring a five-course meal prepared by Back Beach Barbecue Pitmaster, Shane Kirkland. Each course was accompanied by a specially selected beer by local brewery, Idyll Hounds
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The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast Proudly Announces 2023 Youth of the Year and Junior Youth of the Year Winners
On Thursday, March 9, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast announced the winners of the Youth of the Year and Junior Youth of the Year program at their Annual Dinner at The Island Resort. Since 1947, the Youth of the Year program has been the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier recognition program, providing the highest honor any teen member can receive. The addition of the Junior Youth of the Year extends these opportunities to youth ages 10-13 years old. The Youth of the Year (YOY) embodies
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort® Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort® celebrates fifty years as the most visited Northwest Florida resort destination for vacationers, group and business travelers, families, and adventurers. In recognition of five decades of experiences, progress, innovations and memories, the year-long celebration includes fresh new experiences, delightful surprises for resort guests, social media throwbacks and trips down memory lane. When asked about the success of this journey, Sara Becnel, Asset Manager and Vice
5th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival Raises $63,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
The 5th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival held on Sunday, March 5, 2023, at Destin Commons was a huge success. The event raised $63,000 and welcomed roughly 1,600 attendees throughout the day. Proceeds from the event benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence through its programs focused on academic success, good character
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast Receives Hero For Youth Award
We're excited to announce that we are the proud recipient of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Hero for Youth award for our dedicated advocacy around issues impacting our local youth.
It's National Mentoring Month!
To celebrate with us, consider becoming a mentor. It just takes ONE person to open a door and put a child on the path to a great future. There are numerous ways that you can help our organization, whether it is through volunteering or making a donation in honor or memory of a mentor. We look forward to you being a part of the movement and helping to make someone’s future great! Click here to learn more about our mentor program.
Step One Automotive Group Receives Florida Department of Education Commissioner's Business Recognition Award
Step One Automotive Group has been named a recipient of the Florida Department of Education's 2022 Commissioner's Business Recognition Award. The award recognizes Florida’s business leaders and partners that have shown the most commitment to bringing positive change and implementing bold, innovative approaches to improve the academic performance of students in Florida’s education system and communities. These educational connections help Florida school districts gain a competitive edge in providing enhanced
Open for the Perfect Holiday Gifts!
If you're gifting experiences instead of material items this year, we have the perfect holiday gifts for you! Tickets to the 4th Annual Shrimp & Grits Festival and the 5th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast are great gifts for everyone on your list. Calling all Shrimp & Grits fanatics… the 4th Annual Shrimp & Grits Festival benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast returns to Destin Harbor on Feb. 25, 2023! Enjoy creative twists of this
Cox and BGC Cut the Ribbon on a new innovation lab
Cox Communications and The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast cut the ribbon on a brand-new Cox Innovation Lab located at the Pensacola Club (Englewood) yesterday afternoon. The Pensacola Club was selected to receive a $20,000 grant from Cox to upgrade the existing facility with new software, hardware, and other updates to encourage STEM learning. The enhancement involves safe, comfortable seating, whiteboard tables to serve as a collective workspace, STEM Lab supplies, 3-D printers, laptops,
Tyler Jarvis Honored as Destin Chamber’s Business Person of the Month
During the Destin Chamber’s Nov. 10 Business Before Hours Sponsored by Gateway Payments Gulf Coast, Tyler Jarvis, Co-Founder and Operating Partner of The Bald & The Beard Restaurant Group, was honored with the Chamber’s Business Person of the Month Award. This award is presented directly from the Chamber’s Board of Directors to a Destin area businessperson showing vision for his or her business and leadership in our community. “When looking for a successful businessperson, you’ll find that those who are
