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Author: Joe Public

Schumacher Fine Arts donates $1,240 to Fisher House

Written by Joe Public on . Posted in Event Photos.

Kathy Schumacher, gifted artist of Schumacher Fine Art, recently presented a $1,240 donation to Fisher House of the Coast, Inc. from her Paint the Coast instructional class held September 29 at Superior Residences in Niceville, co-host along with The Manor at Blue Water Bay.  Paint the Coast was founded by award winning palette knife artist, Kathy Schumacher. Kathy felt a desire to share her love of art with others by creating compositions that even beginning painters can create successfully. Her gallery can be viewed at www.schumacherfineart.com.

The check was presented to Administrative Director, Mia Hughes. Paint the Coast is a creative business specializing in teaching beginning artists basic painting techniques in a casual, relaxed environment. Students are provided all supplies and will finish their masterpiece in one 2-3 hour session. Students need only to show up with a smile and wearing clothes that are worthy of getting dirty.

Currently, classes are being held at The Pancakery in Destin, Florida at Café Liquid in Niceville, FL and at the American Legion Post 75 in Crestview Florida. Private parties are available upon request.

 

Chain of Love

Written by Joe Public on . Posted in Articles.

A few months ago, I posted a story in our monthly newsletter about the chain of love and it’s definition of paying it forward randomly – without knowledge of the effect one single act could have in the life of another at some point in the future.

This time of year, I love visiting the post office.  Let me correct that, any time of the year I love visiting the post office.  These visits yield unexpected fruit from kind strangers and great friends alike who support our efforts to provide comfort to military families facing a medical event. Some are anonymous or wish to remain so, some contributions are made in honor and memory of loved ones, community and military leaders, some include notes and many do not.  Just a simple “thanks for what you do.”  But it’s not about what we do, it’s really about what you do, the contributor who enables our work.  We lovingly call you “enablers” in a most positive way.

On my visit the first Tuesday of the new year, there was a typed letter that began, “Hey, Hope you are having a wonderful and blessed holiday season.” As you read on, you can tell it is likely enclosed as the family newsletter inside a Christmas card.  In the first paragraph, a description is made of the Fisher House mission, with an email link to the website.  In the second paragraph is where the chill bumps start due to the humanity that unfolds.  The chain of love……

12 years ago an 8th grader working on a project wants to collect items for his newly formed “organization”, appropriately named and not shared to protect the privacy of the persons in this story.  It appears he makes this a family affair as many middle school projects become.  He visits local businesses and amasses a collection of items, delivers them to a Fisher House at an Army/AFB near where he was raised, meets parents of sons and daughters returning from Iraq, guests in the home.  A home that is described as “full of love and compassion for those who needed that love the most.”  All excerpts from the letter.

The third paragraph fasts forward to December of 2016 when that same 8th grader, now a member of the USAF is medivac’d to our hospital on Eglin for tests and treatment of a mystery illness, contracted during a recent deployment to a foreign soil in defense of our great nation.  This airman’s father stayed in our home the letter says.  I am almost weeping as I type to describe in his words the effect of the care and warmth that was provided this family in our home on Eglin.  This father shared this story with his friends and family in their Christmas card, likely, and the recipient sent the letter to us with a very generous check enclosed.

Because of you, we were able to bless this family who so many years ago blessed other families, without expectation.  Sharing their story with friends, the blessing continued.  How can you make a difference in the life of another person today?  Some simple random act of kindness goes a long way.  To quote Charlie Daniels, “let’s make the day count.”

9th Annual Helping Heroes Fisher House Gala Photos

Written by Joe Public on . Posted in Event Photos.

Kathy Schumacher
Kathy Schumacher
Kathy Schumacher
Kathy Schumacher
Art by Kathy Schumacher
Pup and Sue Nelson, Cubs Fans
Pup and Sue Nelson
Peter Bos
Traci Green and Ed Espinoza
Tall Cotton Band
Traci Green
Traci Green, Carolyn and Ed Espinoza
Donna Riemer
JR McDonald and wife Melissa
Doug and Judy Brock, Brock Lawn and Pest – my brother!
Gail Allen – first person to buy a ticket to the Gala
Preston and Erica Jackson, Mia Hughes Rangers
Preston and Erica Jackson, Matt and Ashley Royalty, Mia Hughes
JR and Melissa McDonald, Maria McLean
Brad and Dawna Webb, Brooke McLean
Peter Bos
Traci Green
Traci Green wearing the Boeing Sash
Traci Green
Krista and Kathy Schumacher, mother daughter looks like sisters with American Airman
Trec and Chedbob Chedister
Amy Loch giving the peace sign
Jim Yurack and Amy Loch
Peter Bos and Ted Corcoran
Lovely Erin
Diane Walbeck is such a social butterfly!
Modern Quilt Guild Wonky Houses
Peter Bos, Diane Walbeck and Gordy Fornell
Diane Walbeck promotes EOD Fudge – thanks Aaron Hale and McKayla Tracy
Wine Wheel by Breakthru Beverage
Ted Corcoran
Diane Walbeck shows You Can’t Ride in my Little Red Wagon donated by Peaden Brothers Distillery
American Flag
Robb Rieney wins a golden ticket
Jim Yurack wins a golden ticket
Omar and Judy Wiseman win a golden ticket
Ted Corcoran, FWB Chamber of Commerce CEO/President, Celebrity Auctioneer, President Teresa Halverson and Mia Hughes
Mia Hughes, Peter Bos, Master of Ceremonies, and President Teresa Halverson
Ed Hubbard, our featured speaker
Ed Hubbard
Ed Hubbard
Ed Hubbard and Ted Corcoran
Ted Corcoran
Ed Hubbard and Peter Bos
2016 Gala Sponsors

Emerald Coast Lightning donate $500 from Lacrosse Tournament Veterans Day

Written by Joe Public on . Posted in Event Photos.

ec-lightning-lacrosse-check-presentation-12-6-2016Duke Pope, event organizer for the Destin Lacrosse Tournament and Destin Rockets high school division coach, recently presented a $500 donation to Fisher House of the Coast, Inc. from their  club tournament held Veterans Day weekend at the Morgan Sports Complex.

The check was presented to board members Jim Yurack and Shirley Pigott, Secretary and Past President, along with House Managers Don Peckham and SSgt Thompson and Administrative Director, Mia Hughes. The sport continues to gain momentum and event organizers hope increased interest translates to local schools establishing lacrosse at the high school level.

Introducing Gordy Fornell, Board of Directors Vice President

Written by Joe Public on . Posted in Articles.

Gordy Fornell 2016Lieutenant General Fornell, USAF, (Ret) retired from active duty in the USAF in 1993 with over 35 years of service. He served in senior acquisition leadership positions in AF Systems Command and AF Materiel Command. The general is a command pilot with more than 7,000 flying hours in more than 40 types of aircraft.  His military decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal.  He also wears the Basic Parachutist Badge and the Missile Crew Member Badge.
He has been a private consultant since retiring and lives in Niceville, FL. He is also a member of the Defense Support Initiative of the Okaloosa County Economic Development Council, Chairman of the Air Force Armament Museum Foundation, member of both the Niceville Chamber of Commerce and Emerald Coast Military Affairs Committee, and member of the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority. He is a graduate of the AF Test Pilot School, holds an MBA from the Wharton School and an engineering degree from Michigan State University.

Destin Spring Lacrosse Invitational nets $1,000 for Fisher House

Written by Joe Public on . Posted in Event Photos.

Destin Lightning Lacrosse May 2016Duke Pope, event organizer for the Destin Spring Lacrosse Invitational, recently presented a $1,000 donation to Fisher House of the Coast, Inc. from their two-day club tournament held in April at the Morgan Sports Complex in Destin.

The check was presented to board members Jim Yurack, Katy Mitchell, Shirley Pigott and President, Teresa Halverson, along with House Manager Ron Gribble and Administrative Director, Mia Hughes. The tournament continues to gain momentum each year and event organizers hope increased interest translates to local schools establishing lacrosse at the high school level.   Duke Pope, Destin Rockets high school division coach said, “We want to get more visibility from the local area.  Someone told me, “Lacrosse is the best sport you’re not currently watching.”  Approximately 40 club teams from Louisiana to Tallahassee participated at the inaugural Destin Spring Lacrosse invitational and this year, a second day was added and included a championship.

“We appreciate Duke’s commitment to sports programs for area youth, many of whom move every few years with their military parents.” said Teresa Halverson, board of director’s president.  “Partnering with Fisher House as our cause champion serves two-fold, to raise awareness for both our mission and the increasingly popular sport of lacrosse. “