$955,000 Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation Donation to Benefit 3,000 Northwest Florida Children in Need

DESTIN, FL, July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation's (DCWAF) recent record breaking distribution of $954,958 will directly benefit more than 3,000 children in critical need along the Emerald Coast. These funds will be used for projects at 11 benefitting charities.

Sacred Heart Foundation received $250,000 to fund an expansion of eight pediatric beds that will serve approximately 860 children annually. Children's Volunteer Health Network received $156,000 to fund their mobile dental clinic for one year, which provides dental & orthodontic care for approximately 1000 children annually. The Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center received $130,000 to fund more than 2,000 mental health therapy sessions for an estimated 640 child abuse victims and funding for building repairs and renovations.

"We were honored to be included as a benefitting charity this year. This group of donors is incredibly generous and they have touched the lives of so many children in our area", Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center CEO Julie Hurst said.

Other charities receiving funding were: Children in Crisis, $125,783 to fund operational costs for three foster care homes which house approximately 80 children; Pathways for Change, $76,320 to help 6 young adults and their families overcome substance abuse issues; Emerald Coast Autism Center, $60,000 to fund 6 autistic children with a full year of one-on-one education therapy; Horizons of Okaloosa County, $53,113 to fund early intervention services for 84 special needs children; Youth Village, $50,000 to fund a full year of summer school and after care programs for 30 at-risk youth; Big Brothers Big Sisters of NW Florida, $10,000 to sponsor 10 children in need with mentors for 1 year, Eleanor J. Johnson Youth Center, $3,742 to help prepare 200 at-risk for youth for FCAT testing; and Shelter House, $40,000 to fund critical counseling and education programs to 140 children who have been victims of domestic violence or abuse in their homes.

"To receive a check for $40,000 and know that the funding will help us touch and change more lives literally brought me to tears," said Shelter House Executive Director, Michelle Sperzel. "The impact we have on the children we serve isn't just for a few days or weeks; they are learning skills that will last a lifetime."

About Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation:
After six years of successful wine events, dedicated teamwork and fervent support, Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation has raised $5.3M, impacting the lives of more than 28,100 children in need. In addition, DCWAF has become known across the country as a premier wine auction to attend for wine and food lovers and philanthropists alike. Learn more at DCWAF.org or facebook.com/DCWAF.

SOURCE Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation