Four Appointed to NWFSC Board
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Todd Jackson and Jonathan Ochs and reappointed Megan Harrison and Dr. Jon Ward to the Northwest Florida State College District Board of Trustees.
Jackson serves as CEO of HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital. Ochs is Coastal Region President of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company. Harrison is president and CEO of the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce and owner of TailGrayton Beach Outfitters. Ward is a dermatologist with Dermatology Specialists of Florida.
The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Billy Bowlegs Parade Winners Announced
The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of the 70th annual Billy Bowlegs Torchlight Parade held May 18 in Fort Walton Beach, marking a milestone year for one of the Emerald Coast’s longest-running community traditions.
Winners included The 5 Ride, Inc. (Truck/Car/Van), 850 Social Babes (Float), Krewe of Dominique Youx (Krewe) and Panhandle United Roller Derby (Walkers).
Life Media’s Denise David served as judge liaison during the parade at the Fort Walton Beach Landing, helping coordinate the judging process and celebrate the creativity and community spirit on display throughout the evening. “One of my favorite parts was seeing generations of families lining the streets together and cheering on the participants,” Denise said. “You could really feel the pride, tradition and sense of community that make Billy Bowlegs so special. It was such an honor to help celebrate a tradition that has brought people together for generations.”
Record-Breaking Weekend Benefits Local Children
There was no shortage of excitement, generosity or celebration during the 21st Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family.
From spirited bidding wars and flowing wines to heartfelt conversations about the causes being supported, the sold-out event brought together more than 600 guests in April for a weekend dedicated to helping children throughout Northwest Florida. By the end of the weekend, that generosity translated into a record-breaking $4 million raised for local children in need — surpassing last year’s total by $550,000 and setting a new fundraising record in Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation history.
Throughout the weekend, guests enjoyed patron dinners, exclusive wines, unique experiences and spirited live-auction bidding, all while supporting children and families across the region. One of the evening’s biggest moments came when a nine-night guided trip to Italy sold for an unprecedented $400,000 — the highest single lot sale in the event’s history. Two additional auction packages topped $100,000, marking the first time three individual lots have reached six figures in the same year.
While the auction’s headline numbers were impressive, the true beneficiaries are the thousands of children served by DCWAF’s 16 partner charities: Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, Caring & Sharing of South Walton, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Children in Crisis, Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation, Emerald Coast Autism Center, Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, Mental Health Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem, Opportunity Inc., Point Washington Medical Clinic, Westonwood Ranch and Youth Village.
For more information, visit DCWAF.org.
