The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center recently received $2,015 in gift cards and funds from the Caduceus Society on the Emerald Coast during a gathering of the physician-organized group, continuing a partnership that has delivered more than $15,000 to support holiday giving programs over the past five years. 

• ECCAC, which operates centers in Niceville and DeFuniak Springs serving Okaloosa and Walton counties, will distribute the gift cards and funds to area children and families in need during the holidays.

“ECCAC is such an important local charity providing many services to help heal children dealing with the trauma of childhood abuse and neglect,” said Lisa Wainwright, Caduceus Society Liaison and Development Specialist for Sacred Heart Foundation. “I am very proud of how our Caduceus Society members play such an important role helping so many in need throughout Northwest Florida.”

The Caduceus Society is a philanthropic, physician-organized faith-based organization of medical professionals in good standing. The membership includes currently working or retired individuals committed to bringing medical care to the poor, the vulnerable and the underserved through free health clinics, donation of time or financial support. The society also supports local charities, health clinics, purchases medical equipment and provides grants for physician medical missions. 

Julie Porterfield, ECCAC’s CEO, expressed gratitude for the ongoing support.

• “We so appreciate the important role the Caduceus Society has played to help us each year with our Christmas giving programs to area children and families in need,” Porterfield said. 

ECCAC provides services to children and their families at no cost through its Okaloosa and Walton County centers. Though the organization does not house children, it works together with agency partners, donors, volunteers and the community to provide assistance. Over the past 25 years, ECCAC has helped more than 33,000 children.

For more information, visit www.eccac.org. If abuse is suspected, report it by calling the anonymous Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE.