Fort Walton Beach father-daughter dance raises more than $7,000 for Children in Crisis

More than 120 fathers and daughters gathered at Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson on Jan. 24 for an evening that raised more than $7,000 for Children in Crisis while celebrating the bonds between girls and the father figures in their lives.

Jason Carducci, the event organizer and a supporter of Children in Crisis, said the night exceeded expectations.

• “Grateful, surprised and overjoyed — you just never know what these events will turn out like,” said Carducci, owner of JP Carducci, Inc.

The inaugural Ties and Tiara’s father-daughter dance brought together 80 girls ages 3 to 18 and 45 fathers or father figures for an event that generated $7,250. An additional $13,000 in in-kind donations supported the three-hour event. 

Carducci created Ties and Tiaras after seeing photos from the organization’s “Once in a Blue Moon” mother-daughter gala. The event was inspired by a simple question: “What about the dads?”

Megan Serafin, community engagement manager at Children in Crisis, said Carducci’s decision to champion the event sent a clear signal to the broader community.

• “When someone like Jason chooses to step forward in support of CIC, it sends a strong message to the community that our mission matters,” Serafin said. “His involvement brought credibility, visibility, and momentum to the event. It showed that business leaders in our area recognize the importance of protecting children and keeping siblings together.”

The January evening featured DJ entertainment by Zoran Entertainment, food donated by Chick-fil-A Fort Walton Beach and Publix, a photo booth from Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, and floral arrangements by Our Greenhouse Florals. Just Think Cake provided desserts, while Luca Design Co. installed a balloon arch and Lindsey Buckley Photography captured the evening. 

Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson donated the venue space. Cornerstone Church provided 11 round tables and 80 chairs. St. Michael’s Brewery contributed a five-gallon keg, and Lift Me Up Staging provided event staging.

• The event drew 18 sponsors and in-kind donors, 15 volunteers and four Children in Crisis staff members. 

Serafin said that level of community investment reflected something deeper than generosity.

“Their partnership made a direct and tangible difference for the children we serve,” she said.

Carducci described the turnout and energy from fathers on the dance floor as one of the evening’s defining elements.

• “The dads’ reaction was awesome. They loved it — a lot of thank-yous for the event and requests for another one. The dads really getting involved with the dancing and games was great,” he said.

A Volunteer Dads Program allowed background-checked father figures to attend alongside girls who did not have a dad able to participate. Serafin said the event accomplished more than its fundraising goal.

“It strengthened relationships within the community, deepened engagement with sponsors, and introduced new families to the mission of CIC,” she said.

For Carducci personally, two moments stood out above the rest.

• “The highlight for me was the conga line and the hula hoop contest,” he said. “The volunteer dads were awesome — just dancing and hyping the party up.”

Children in Crisis serves children in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties. The organization operates a Children’s Neighborhood off Beal Parkway and Racetrack Road with five family foster homes, an emergency shelter and a Transitional Living Program.

Organizers are already planning for next year’s Ties and Tiaras event. Several sponsors have committed to supporting the 2027 event, with an aspirational revenue target of $25,000.