Thanks once again for the Exchange Club of Niceville hosting the 3rd Annual Field of Valor to honor our fallen. Proceeds from this event benefited our Fisher House on Eglin AFB to bless military families during a medical event. 4th Annual Field of Valor is on the calendar, September 9 – 18, 2017 – plan to attend. Seeing the flags waving in the field is a somber reminder that freedom isn’t free. Thank a veteran and their family.  Thanks Paul McShane for your leadership.

Grateful for the Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce for their support of Fisher House – Sequins and Suits produced $1575 for our mission. Thanks to volunteers, Donna Chesher, Michele Green, and David and Diane Walbeck. Board members Jim Yurack, Gordy Fornell, Shirley Pigott and Teresa Halverson are pictured here with our friends from the chamber, along with Mia Hughes, Administrative Director.

Community Ambassadors David and Diane Walbeck and Sheila and Wayne Williams, along with Administrative Director Mia Hughes received $700 from the Emerald Coast Regional Mustang Club last Thursday evening.

The Emerald Coast Regional Mustang Club was created in 1987 by four local Mustang enthusiasts as an informal social group. The club has steadily grown over the years and was officially recognized and adopted as a regional group by the Mustang Club of America in 1995. All generations of Mustangs are represented in the club. Our members also cover several generations, yet share a common love for the Mustang car, it’s enjoyment, preservation, and history.

The Emerald Coast Regional Mustang Club actively supports several charity organizations in the local area; sponsor an annual car show each year and participate in other local charity events as a means to collect funds for these causes.

Monthly meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at The Golden Corral in Fort Walton Beach. Social hour starts at 6PM and the meeting begins at 7 PM.We hold regular (at least once per month) “Social Gatherings and/or Fun Runs” to area attractions.

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.

Duke 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.

Duke 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. “

Rob Reyes, owner of O’Connor’s Pub & Grill in Navarre, Florida, recently presented a $2,500 donation to Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, Inc. through their 6^th Annual Pub Crawl, t-shirt sales.  Donations made to Fisher House enable the organization to continue supporting military families during medical needs with lodging and transportation.   Fisher House, located on Eglin AFB opened in September of 2010, and has saved military families over $1,000,000 in lodging and transportation. The geographic footprint offers services to residents from Pensacola to Panama City.

The check was presented to board members Bob Lynn and Mark Stogsdill, along with Administrative Director, Mia Hughes.

“We appreciate Rob’s military service and his devotion to our mission,” said Teresa Halverson, board of director’s president.  “The annual Pub Crawl continues to gain momentum, both in popularity and prosperity for our organization, year after year. “

Eglin Federal Credit Union President Jerry Williams presents $1,000 in gift cards to Fisher House of the Emerald Coast house manager Ron Gribble, Board Administrative Director Mia Hughes, and Board President Teresa Halverson.  The Armed Forces Financial Network partners with federal credit unions to provide the gift cards as a way of saying “Thank You” for the service and sacrifices made by military families. Jerry remarked, “EFCU strives to make a difference in the lives of our US Service members and their families and appreciates AFFN’s support with the gift cards.” In addition to the gift cards, EFCU provides no‐surcharge access with the AFFN ATM network at its base locations for military personnel.

A huge thank you to the Bear Bait Ultras for their generous donation to the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast!