Our Mission

Enriching the lives… of children in need.

The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation’s mission is to connect wine enthusiasts to raise money for children in need. Through our benefiting charities, the proceeds raised by the Foundation provide financial support and give hope to at-risk children, including those afflicted by health issues and abuse.

Our Story

Our Purpose and What We Do

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation operates with the purpose of raising funds to help children in need through the programs and services provided by area children’s charities.  Through events that feature world-class wine and food experiences, DCWAF brings wine enthusiasts and philanthropic-minded individuals together.  During the 2011 Wine & Dine in Paradise Auction, more than $1,000,000 was raised in a single weekend to help less-fortunate or at-risk youth along the Emerald Coast.  During the 2011 fiscal year, funds to help children in need were distributed in excess of $954,000.  In only six years, the organization has increased its giving by more than 1000%. 

Between January 2006 and June 2011, Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation served the needs of 31,106 at-risk youth in the four-county service area.  During the 2011 fiscal year, DCWAF’s contributions to area organizations helped 3,050 children.  

Geographic Location

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) serves children in critical need in Bay, Walton, Okaloosa and Escambia Counties.  This area, also referred to as Florida’s Emerald Coast, stretches for approximately 100 miles from Panama City to Gulf Breeze, Florida.  Situated in the western part of the Florida Panhandle, these four counties encompass 4,228 square miles, and each stretch from the Gulf of Mexico north to the Alabama state line. 

Accessibility

Each county has a bustling tourism industry and all are reliant on the physical features of their coastlines to attract visitors to the area.  The primary highway transportation arteries used to access the Emerald Coast are US I-10 and US I-110.  I-10 is a direct route from each of the four counties served by DCWAF to larger cities such as Tallahassee to the East, and Pensacola, Mobile and Biloxi to the West.  Additionally, many major US and State Highways make the Emerald Coast easy to navigate. They include US-90, US-98, US-29 and US-331.  In addition to roadway access, private and public authorities in the Florida Panhandle are devoting great amounts of money and tourism dollars to make our areas a flyer-friendly destination.   Very close to home, there are three airports that deliver nonstop service to various locations along the Emerald Coast from larger cities such as Atlanta, Birmingham, New Orleans, Tampa, Orlando, Huston, Nashville, and beyond.  The airports include Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS), Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport (PNS), and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP). 

Demographics of Population

The Emerald Coast is made up of a diverse population.  The total population of the aforementioned area is 702,000. 22% (154,440) of the population is under the age of 18 years.  20% of people living in the four-county area are minorities.  The average poverty rate for this defined area is 15.4%, which exceeds the Florida state average of 15%.   Yet, the average number of children who are living in poverty in the stated region is 24.25%, or approximately 37,451 youth ages 0-17 years.  Additionally, in December of 2010, it was reported that a total of 3,899 children under the age of 18 years in the four-county service area received federal social security disability benefits.

Demographics of Children Served by DCWAF

DCWAF serves the four country area as mentioned above.  The programs supported by the organization are child-centered and are focused on children with critical needs.  During the 2011 Fiscal Year, eleven charitable organizations received funding from DCWAF. 100% of children receiving assistance from DCWAF charitable beneficiaries are underserved or underprivileged in some way including but not limited to their access to health, mental and dental care, services for special needs, educational opportunities, and /or basic needs (safe environment, food, and clothing). The great majority (more than 90%) off all children served by DCWAF funds are from or are living in low-income or poverty-stricken households.  DCWAF charities are bridging the gap between less-fortunate youth and the opportunities that will allow them to reach their full potential.