Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation Uncorks $864,000 For Kids

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Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation

Oct 26, 2010, 10:03 ET

DESTIN, FL, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ - Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF), one of the Emerald Coast's most giving charities in recent years, raised a total of $1,162,000 in this year. $864,000 directly benefitted local children in need. At its annual Check Presentation Ceremony, DCWAF awarded the funds to nine area charities serving disadvantaged children.

The 2010 list of beneficiaries receiving funding included: Sacred Heart Foundation, $285,000 to fund health care to needy children; Children in Crisis, $265,000 to fund building of a foster home; Pathways For Change, $95,613 to fund development of a new residence hall; Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, $52,000 for All Kinds of Art educational outreach program; Youth Village, $45,600 to fund a summer learning program for at-risk children; Children's Volunteer Health Network, $40,000 to fund Just For Grins mobile dental clinic; Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida, $30,000 to fund resources for children and families of children suffering medical crises; Junior League of the Emerald Coast Child Clothing Project, $10,000 to fund children from Okaloosa and Walton Counties to Target in Mary Esther for new wardrobes.

"I look forward to our check presentation ceremony each summer. It's a chance to celebrate with the charities we've selected and the donors, sponsors and patrons who made it all possible. We made the world a better place for children along the Emerald Coast." Executive Director Todd Vucovich said.

Wine & Dine in Paradise, the non-profit organization's signature event held annually in April, brought the most success to date, generating a 25 percent increase from 2009 and pushing the foundation's total fund raising to $4 million.

The Check Presentation Ceremony, hosted by Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village, showcased four local restaurants: Commander's Palace, Grande Vista Bar & Grill, Wild Olives, and Caffe Italia. Over 200 of the wine auction's constituencies were in attendance to witness the giving in action.

DCWAF also proudly announces its 2011 beneficiary charities:
Children in Crisis, Sacred Heart Hospital of the Emerald Coast, Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center, Children's Volunteer Health Network, Inc., Youth Village, Shelter House, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, Emerald Coast Autism Center, Eleanor J. Johnson Youth Ranch, Horizons, and Pathways for Change.

About Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation:
After five years of successful wine events, dedicated teamwork and fervent support, the Destin Charity Wine Auction has become known to patrons from across the country as a premier event for wine lovers and philanthropists alike. Wine & Dine in Paradise event continues to be the premier wine and food event of the area.

2011 Sponsors
Founding sponsors: Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort and Chan's Wine World. Platinum sponsor: Caduceus Society on the Emerald Coast. Gold sponsors: Image Printing & Digital Services, Stephen & Joan Carter, Quantum Workplace Inc., and Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. Silver sponsors: Barlovento, LLC, IP Casino Resort & Spa, and Destin Realty. Bronze sponsors: Acentria, Beaches of South Walton, Cory J. Fosdyck - Merrill Lynch, First Transaction Group, Joe & Diane Rackley, Judith March, O'Sullivan Creel, Republic National Distributing Company, Bay Breeze Patio, Coastal Accounting, Dr. Dennis Lichorwic, Great American Products, John & Margaret Sheehan, Miracle Strip Wireless and Pish Posh Patchoulis.