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Good morning!
This morning’s newsletter takes you inside Okaloosa’s innovative court program where veterans mentor veterans, accountability meets understanding, and second chances become success stories.
Plus, holiday happenings and community updates…Let’s get to the news you need to know this chilly Thursday morning…
THINGS TO DO
‘Breakfast with Santa’ continues 39-year tradition at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital’s most popular volunteer event marks its 39th year, demonstrating the enduring appeal of a tradition that has brought multiple generations through its doors.
- The event, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7, from 8 to 10 a.m., offers families an affordable holiday experience with breakfast prices set at $5 for adults and $3 for children. It has been held in the hospital cafeteria on the first Saturday of December throughout its history.
“We want to keep it affordable, especially in today’s economy,” said Vicki Tarro, who has overseen the hospital’s volunteer program for 25 years. “We want to make it available to everyone and not limit people from coming just because they can’t afford to.”
The event’s multigenerational impact is evident in its returning participants. “We’ve seen people that have brought their kids here and now they’re bringing their grandkids in because they loved it so much then,” Tarro said.
The highlight for many young attendees is Santa’s Workshop, located in an upstairs classroom. Children, accompanied by volunteer “elves” – often teenagers from the hospital’s summer ‘volunteen’ program – shop independently for gifts priced between 50 cents and $5. Volunteer gift wrappers ensure presents remain a surprise for recipients.
For Cindy Halsey, who has coordinated the event for nine years, the children’s shopping experience brings special joy. “It is just so much fun seeing the joy of the kids going in with their little shopping list and their money, looking for that item for Mom or Dad or their brother or sister,” she said.
The young shoppers often show surprising determination, as Halsey recalled: “This one little girl was shopping for her uncle. She picked out a pink Minnie Mouse with a polka-dotted dress. I tried really hard to steer her to another table, but she was not having any of it.”
- “We’ve even had savvy little shoppers sitting on the floor, counting up what they’ve done and seeing how much money they have left, and then they go back and shop,” Halsey said. “Sometimes after shopping, they can’t remember who they bought what for and it is just so much fun to watch the joy on their faces.”
The breakfast, prepared by cafeteria staff and served by the hospital’s senior leadership team, includes bacon, eggs, pancakes, cereal, juice, and fruit. Santa will be present for photos, and the cafeteria will feature holiday decorations including a Christmas tree and Santa’s rocking chair. The hospital’s pet therapy program dogs from Dog Harmony may also make appearances to visit with families.
Even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital’s commitment to the community never wavered, with organizers creating an innovative drive-through version to keep the tradition alive. Following the successful return to an in-person format in 2023, which welcomed 96 children and approximately 45 adults, the hospital is actively working to spread the word about this cherished tradition.
“Getting back started and getting the word out” is a priority, Halsey said, as the hospital aims to reach even more families with this affordable holiday experience.
The event serves as the hospital volunteers’ largest annual fundraiser. Proceeds support four $1,000 donations to local charities and scholarships for high school students. While most scholarships go to students entering medical fields, two are designated for students pursuing other career paths.
- “It’s a significant event because it’s been a staple for us for a long time,” Tarro said. “It brings a community of generations together.”
Planning for the event begins in August or September, with volunteers carefully curating gift selections.
Tickets are cash only and available for purchase at the hospital gift shop before the event or at the door on Dec. 7. Shopping at Santa’s Workshop is also cash only, with an ATM available on-site. Last year, generous donors provided tickets and shopping money for children from Children in Crisis, a tradition organizers hope to continue this year.
The volunteer team includes 65 members on its roster, with about 30 participating in this particular event. “This is the fundraiser that everyone wants to participate in,” Halsey said. “They all absolutely love it.”
“Even though it’s a lot of work, it’s fun and we really enjoy it,” Halsey added. “The community outreach is just what we’re looking for, and the joy on the children’s faces – absolutely. It’s so much fun.”
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BUSINESS
Big Brothers Big Sisters opens new office in Crestview
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida has expanded its presence in the region with the opening of a new office in downtown Crestview, extending mentorship services to youth in northern Okaloosa and Walton counties.
- The organization celebrated the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 121 N Wilson St. earlier this month, drawing attendance from the Crestview Chamber of Commerce, city and county officials, board members and community supporters.
The City of Crestview provided the space for the new office, which will serve as a hub for connecting young people, known as “Littles,” with adult mentors, called “Bigs.”
“We’re thrilled to be part of the Crestview community, and we’ve been so grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received from the city and its residents,” said Paula Shell, CEO and President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida. “The opening of this office has been the result of years of hard work and planning, with the help of so many people.”
The organization has already established approximately 25 mentoring relationships in the area, though 21 children remain on a waiting list for adult mentors. The new location aims to help meet this demand by providing easier access for potential volunteers in the northern communities.
The office’s strategic location will facilitate the organization’s mission of creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships that help youth reach their full potential.
Those interested in becoming mentors or supporting the organization can visit www.OKBig.org or call 850-664-5437.
SCHOOL
Okaloosa School District to host job fair for support staff positions
The Okaloosa County School District will host a job fair next month to fill various educational support positions across the district.
- The free event will take place Monday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the OCSD Administrative Complex, located next to Edge Elementary at 202A Hwy 85 North in Niceville.
The district is seeking candidates for multiple roles, including substitute teachers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, maintenance staff, cafeteria workers, and custodians.
Interested individuals can contact the district’s Human Resources department at (850) 833-5800 for additional information about the available positions.
REAL ESTATE
New road, bridge open in Niceville’s Deer Moss Creek development
Local leaders gathered Wednesday morning to celebrate the opening of a new road section and bridge in the Deer Moss Creek development, marking a significant milestone for the master-planned community.
- The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the intersection of Deer Moss Loop and College Boulevard, where attendees then drove along the newly completed road section to the north bridge.
“Every project starts with an idea, and many people help that idea down its path to the finished product,” said Marion Ruckel Skalicky, president and CEO of Ruckel Properties, Inc. “The support of the City of Niceville, our dedicated staff, and our exceptional partners have all been vital to completing this important addition to Deer Moss Creek.”
The new infrastructure connects to the Town Center Boulevard roundabout near Spence Parkway (SR 293), designed to improve traffic flow and connectivity within the development.
Niceville Mayor Dan Henkel and City Council members Bill Schatzle, Cathy Alley, and Doug Stauffer attended the event.
- Key partners in the project included Matrix Design Group for land planning and bridge design, Gustin, Cothern & Tucker for surveying, Jenkins Engineering for civil engineering, and Young’s Contracting and Murphree Bridge Company for construction.
Deer Moss Creek is a mixed-use, master-planned community that features residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.
THINGS TO DO
Destin launches citywide holiday decoration contest for 2024 season
The City of Destin’s Holiday Committee has announced its annual Christmas decoration contest, inviting residents, businesses, and organizations within city limits to showcase their festive displays.
- The free contest features four categories: Best Decorated Home, Best Decorated Business, Best Decorated Organization, and Best Overall Holiday. Judges will evaluate exterior decorations visible from the front of properties.
Participants must submit their nominations by 5 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024, either by calling (850) 654-5184 or emailing Recreation@cityofdestin.com. All contestants must be located within annexed City of Destin boundaries.
The residential category encompasses single homes, duplexes, and mobile homes, while the business division includes restaurants, shops, schools, and professional offices. Organizations such as homeowners associations and golf courses can compete in their designated category.
Judging will take place from 5-8 p.m. on December 17, with an additional evening of judging possible on December 18, depending on the number of entries. Participants must maintain their decorations from December 16 through December 31.
- Winners will receive recognition from the Mayor during the Council meeting in January 2025. The city will share photos of participating properties’ exterior decorations on its social media platforms.
For registration or additional information, residents can contact the provided phone number or email address.
VETERANS
Veterans Treatment Court in Okaloosa offers path to recovery through accountability, mentorship
Established in 2012 by then-Judge Patt Maney, Okaloosa County’s Veterans Treatment Court helps former service members overcome trauma and addiction through a unique combination of accountability, treatment and peer support.
- In a county deeply connected to the military, Judge Angela Mason now presides over a program that maintains an 89-92% success rate by addressing the complex needs of veterans who find themselves in the criminal justice system.
“Veterans will come back from service and find themselves in what I call a moment in time they can’t get out of,” Mason said. “They’ve seen things you can’t unsee. They’ll receive an injury, maybe get addicted to a substance and can’t figure out how to get off of it.”
The voluntary 12-18 month program combines court supervision, VA services, and veteran peer mentoring to help participants address underlying issues like traumatic brain injury, PTSD and substance abuse. Unlike traditional court, the program takes a holistic treatment approach while maintaining military structure and values.
“What we have found is once people get to the point that they need us, it’s such a cycle they can’t get out of,” Mason said. “The holistic approach helps address all those issues at the same time and really lets the veteran recognize how those issues are working together.”
Taking over the program from Judge Maney proved daunting initially for Mason.
“While it’s always intimidating to do anything after Representative Maney, he left the program so well that he made it easy for me to navigate,” Mason said. “It’s different because I don’t have the military experience that he did. But my father was in the Navy and my grandfather served, so I had that built-in respect for the military that so many of us do.”
- Maney’s continued support proves invaluable. “To this day if I’m having a moment where I just don’t really know what to do, he’s always open to my phone calls,” Mason said.
The court’s success stories illustrate its impact. One involved a World War II veteran George who entered the program homeless and struggling with alcoholism. Through the court’s intervention, he found sobriety and reconciled with his estranged family before passing away.
Another case demonstrated the program’s commitment to justice and rehabilitation. A defendant who unknowingly became a convicted felon through an earlier plea deal entered Veterans Treatment Court on a probation violation. During his two years in the program, his growth and genuine misunderstanding of the original plea led the state to allow him to withdraw the plea, removing the felony conviction while still holding him accountable.
- “When he graduated and recognized what the system had done for him to save his life, he cried, we all hugged,” Mason said. “That’s not something I usually see in court. It was really heartwarming.”
Participants progress through five phases, starting intensively with twice-monthly court appearances and frequent treatment sessions before gradually stepping down supervision as they demonstrate stability. Throughout the program, veteran mentors – often graduates themselves – provide crucial peer support.
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