July Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center Monthly Newsletter
Pierce Family /   Donate  /   Events  /   Services
The first face donors, visitors and clients see when they enter the  Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center are our fabulous reception volunteers. This amazing group assists staff by informing them when clients arrive, and visiting with children when parents/caregivers meet with the staff separately.

This smiling group also accepts and sorts donations when they are dropped off, lend a hand with thank you letters, assist with upcoming events or meetings, and perhaps the most important part of their responsibilities...BAKE COOKIES! In case you are not aware, each child that leaves our centers leave with a fresh baked cookie and a box of juice.

These are just a few things these generous folks do for ECCAC on a daily basis. So the next time you stop by one of our centers, please make sure to thank them for all they do. We are always looking for more reception volunteers. Please contact us if you are interested.

The  mission of the Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center is to prevent child abuse and neglect, protect children in Okaloosa and Walton counties, and restore the lives of child victims.
723 Whiskey Bravo Namesake Day
Join us Saturday, July 23 for 723 Whiskey Bravo's Namesake Day! The annual celebration will enjoy "723" Happy Hour all day long, complimentary champagne toast at 7:23 p.m., and a special check presentation to the ECCAC with Riley Broadus our therapy dog! 



Jeanette Andrews will host a Benefit Performance on Tuesday, July 26 beginning at 6 p.m. at The Rep in Seaside, Florida. Tickets are $25 and 20% of sales will benefit the ECCAC. Returning for her 3rd season at The REP! Nationally-renowned magician, Jeanette Andrews' newest work, Synesthesia, shatters the mold of the traditional magic performance - making for a one of a kind experience for audiences of all ages. This thrilling program of magic and illusion is highly interactive and uses audience participation to explore the five senses. Magic Academy Workshops with Jeanette are available on Friday afternoons for kids ages 5-14.



The Junior League of the Emerald Coast is holding a Back to School Bash for for the ECCAC and other local children's charities to to provide backpacks pre-filled with school supplies to our children, who might otherwise go without. If you know or have someone that can use a little help, please RSVP no later than 5 p.m. on July 27 to  Chelsea@eccac.org or 850-833-9237. For more information or to make a donation, visit  www.jlec.org.
The ECCAC has a number of volunteer opportunities available. If you are interested in any of the opportunities below or have questions, please email Chelsea@ECCAC.org  or call (850) 833-9237 ext. 286.

Synesthesia with Jenette Andrews
The ECCAC is in need of two volunteers to work the information table at Jenette Andrews' Synesthesia Benefit Performance on Tuesday, July 26 from 5-7pm at The Rep in Seaside.

Volunteers needed to bake cookies
In light of recent events, ECCAC wants to show our local Law Enforcement how much they are appreciated by making fresh cookies to deliver to them. We will be holding a cookie baking marathon at our Niceville center on Wednesday, July 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again at the Pierce Family Center in DeFuniak Springs on Wednesday, August 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are able to volunteer any length of time during those hours, contact Chelsea Fox.

Golf and Gala
Our largest fundraiser of the year is looking for people to serve on the planning committees. Our first meeting will be held in August at the Niceville Center, date and time TBD pending on schedules of those attending. If you are interested in being a part of this great event, please contact Kim at (850) 833-9237 x283 or Kim@ECCAC.org. Open committees consist of golf tournament, gala, auction, public relations and sponsorship. Committees will meet monthly. The Golf and Gala will be held in March 2017.

Baytowne Beer Festival
Mark your calendars for the Baytowne Beer Festival on Saturday, October 15! Over 100 volunteers will be needed to make this event a success, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting ECCAC. If you would like to be on the volunteer list, please email Kim@eccac.org. The shift sign up list will be sent out next month to those who have responded and those who volunteered last year. Shifts go fast, get on the list now!
Back To School Supply Drive
It's almost back to school time and ECCAC wants to ensure our clients have all they need to go back and be successful. We are holding a Back to School Supply Drive at both ECCAC locations. Items being collected include:

Backpacks          Loose leaf paper          Pencils
Glue Sticks         3 Ring Binders              Pens
Crayons             Spiral Notebooks          Scissors
Folders              Highlighters                 Rulers

Can you do a drive in your office? To download a flyer to post

Donations need to be delivered to either center by August 19. If you have any questions please call Chelsea Fox at (850) 833-9237 x256 or Chelsea@ECCAC.org.


Walmart Gift Cards
The ECCAC is seeking donations of $10 - $25 Walmart gift cards. These cards are given to clients to recognize birthdays, completion of a treatment, or to even help with the day to day needs including gas to get the to their appointments.


Wooden Cornhole Sets and ARTISTS Needed
Do you know someone who makes wooden cornhole sets and would be willing to donate 10? We are looking for 10 undecorated, wooden cornhole sets for an upcoming event at Destin Commons. These sets will be decorated by local artists, used for the event in October, then auctioned off with proceeds benefitting ECCAC. 

Are you a local artist who would be willing to decorate one for us?
If you can help by either donating boards or being one of our featured artists, please contact kim@eccac.org or 850-833-9237 x283


Kitchen Needs  
 We are still setting up our kitchen at the Pierce Family Children's Advocacy Center in Defuniak Springs and have come up with several items we are still in need of. 
Plastic Bowls and Cups          Tea Pitcher
BBQ Grilling Tools                 Dry Measuring Cups
Baking Pans - 11x13 and 11x8
If you can help, please drop them off at either of our locations.


Clothing 
Due to the generosity of our community, we have been overwhelmed with clothing donations. Due to a lack of storage space, we will be unable to take items not listed in this monthly newsletter. If you have items to donate, that we are not currently accepting, we ask that you take them to one of our partner organizations. In DeFuniak Springs, please take them to Matrix located at 37 N 9th St. In Niceville, please take them to the Bargain Box located at 107 Partin Ave S. Both of these organizations help our clients on a daily basis and we are thrilled to partner with them.

For the next month, we are in need of:

Backpacks
Small Clothes Hangers
New Socks
New Underwear - boys and girls, school age sizes.
The Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center is pleased to announce Chelsea Fox as our new Volunteer and Events Coordinator. As a member of the National Honors Society of Collegiate Scholars, Fox graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. In her business endeavors, she was the recreation coordinator at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, and most recently with Newman-Dailey Resort Properties. Her community involvement encompasses being a member of the Junior League of the Emerald Coast and Young Professionals at the Beach.
Thank you to Stubbs Orthodontics and GulfWind Paddle & Surf for raising $1,030 for ECCAC through their June raffle.

Congratulations to Katie and Jeremy for being the Cornhole Champs at Harley Davidson Bike Night. A big thanks to Emerald Coast Harley Davidson for including us! We cant wait for the next one.

Thank you to all the amazing young men and women who participated in the  Emerald Coast Junior Golf Tour/ Northwest Florida Daily News Golf Tournament.

As if Jim and Tammy Pierce haven't already done so much for the ECCAC! We are so grateful that the Pierce family donated toys for our therapy rooms and once a month lunches for our centers staff through the end of the year!

Through the "Fresh Baked" sponsorship, the Sandestin Wine Festival donated $7,500. This sponsorship enables ECCAC to provide a fresh baked cookie to all the children who visit our center from August 2016 until October 2017. The ECCAC is still seeking  "Juiced" sponsors to provide funds for juice boxes given to each child with their cookie. Contact Kim at (850) 833-9237 x283 or Kim@ECCAC.org for more info.
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