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Purses with a Purpose is Back this October!

We hope you are ready for Purses with a Purpose, a signature Shelter House event! Purses with a Purpose returns for the 12th year and will be held at the Maxine Orange Art & Design Gallery (21A Eglin Pkwy NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548) October 20-22, 2022.  Over the past decade, Purses with a Purpose has become a must-attend annual shopping experience for ladies across the Emerald Coast. Shoppers at Purses with a Purpose have the opportunity to select from hundreds of new and gently used purses, wallets, and accessories up for sale or auction. Gently used handbags will be available for immediate purchase during shopping hours, while the new and upscale brand handbags will be auctioned off through virtual bidding from Monday, October 16 through the close of the VIP event on Thursday, October 20 at 7:30 pm CST.

This year’s event kicks off with the Purses with a Purpose VIP event on Thursday, October 20th at the Maxine Orange Studio Gallery located in Fort Walton Beach. Attendees will enjoy bottomless beverages, light bites, entertainment and live access to the silent auction. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and tickets can purchased in advance for $50. This event will sell out, as space is limited!

Purses with a Purpose reopens to general admission on Friday, October 21st from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for Handbags and Happy Hour. Tickets are $20 and guests will enjoy cocktails, light bites and entertainment as they shop a selection of handbags and accessories.

The event will reopen on Saturday, October 22nd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with deep discounts on remaining merchandise. Complimentary mimosas and muffins will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and admission is free to all shoppers on Saturday.

Since its inception, Purses with a Purpose has raised more than $120,000 to support Shelter House’s critical services for domestic and sexual violence survivors. Shelter House accepts donations of new and gently-used handbags throughout the year, as well as numerous auction items from our generous community supporters. For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Shelter House at 850-243-1201 and/or sponsors@shelterhousenwfl.org

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5th Annual Palate & Palette Four-Course Dinner & Live Painting

Tickets are now on sale for our 5th Annual Palate & Palette Four-Course Dinner & Live Painting, to be held February 6, 2021! This year, the event will feature five local unique artists and be hosted as five different intimate dinners across Okaloosa and Walton Counties.

Each artist will create unique pieces and at the end of the evening, these works of art will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in an exciting and competitive virtual auction! Each wine dinner will be its own unique experience, showcasing the talents of a different chef and artist. Attendees will indulge in a four-course seated dinner with each course paired with hand-selected fine wines from around the world. The expansive silent auction will be held through a virtual software platform and offer prize packages including fishing trips, restaurant experiences, custom art, spa packages, and more. Guests may select the dinner of their choice on a first-come, first-serve basis, with a maximum capacity of 30 attendees per location.

Shelter House proudly announces the culinary lineup for the 2021 Palate & Palette Dinner:
Clemenza’s at Uptown Station
Featuring Chef Giovanni Filippone, Executive Chef & Managing Partner, Mama Clemenza’s European Breakfast
75 Eglin Pkwy NE #126, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

One 20 a Modern Bistro
Featuring Executive Chef and Owner, Dan Pettis
120 Partin Dr. N, Niceville, FL 32578

Bitterroot
Featuring Executive Chef Chadwick Donelson
4463 Commons Dr. W, Unit 10-A, Destin, FL 32541

George’s at Alys Beach
Featuring Executive Chef, Camille Withall
30 Castle Harbour Dr, Alys Beach, FL 32461

Vue on 30a
Featuring Executive Chef, Isley Whyte
4801 W County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Tickets are $150 per person and include dinner, wine, and all gratuities. All proceeds benefit Shelter House and our continued mission to serve as the state-certified domestic and sexual violence center serving both Okaloosa and Walton counties.

For information on sponsorship, contact the Shelter House team at 850-243-1201 or email sponsors@shelterhousenwfl.org.

Tickets are non-refundable. If unable to attend, ticket holders may gift their seat or consider it as a charitable donation. Each chef creates a prix fixe menu. Accommodations for dietary restrictions are not available for this event.

Purchase a Ticket Here

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15th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction Weekend

Bid High, Bid Often!

Registration is open for the 2020 Virtual Destin Charity Wine Auction

Registration to bid virtually in the 15th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family is now available. Simply click the button below and enter your information and you’ll be ready to bid as soon as the auction opens on August 21. 

Please note that if you previously held tickets to attend this year’s auction event, you must also register HERE in order to bid virtually.

Wondering what to expect when participating in the 15th Annual Auction now that it’s gone virtual? We’ve got you covered!

Auction Lots

After polling a number of supporters, DCWAF has put together an impressive line-up of lots comprised of trips, rare wines, art, and experiences based on your feedback given the current climate.

All auction lots are available to preview now online and in your auction catalog.

Silent, Super Silent, and Almost Live Auctions will open Friday, August 21 at 9am CST and will close Sunday, August 23 at noon CST. 

The Live Auction will open at 9am CST on Saturday, August 22 and will close in waves throughout the live auction broadcast.  

The Live Auction Live Stream Presentation will begin Saturday, August 22 at 4pm CST.

How Bidding Works

Bidding virtually has never been easier! If you are registered when bidding opens for each auction category, you will receive a text message with a link to bid directly from your mobile device.

Through Greater Giving, you will bid using your computer, smartphone, or tablet on all auction items. You have the ability to set a maximum bid amount for the items you are interested in. This will allow the platform to bid on your behalf until you either win or max out your budget. You also have the opportunity to “Buy it Now” through the platform at a predetermined price point or watch the bidding on an item you are interested in by clicking the star icon on the package. 

More information on how to bid can be found HERE.

Live Auction Broadcast

Tune In: Saturday, August 22nd at 4pm CST

https://youtu.be/LM7iTW8utAQ

Streamed through YouTube, join the extraordinary auctioneer, Ursula Hermacinski, as she hosts a celebration of 15 years of charitable giving as we work together to raise money for children in need in Northwest Florida. Ursula will present 29 live lots to you in small groups. Bidding will close in waves on each group of live lots throughout the broadcast following their respective presentations.

As bidding will be virtual, you will be able to enjoy this broadcast from the comfort and safety of your home. Be sure to bid high and bid often as these live lots will close periodically during our broadcast.

Create Your Best Auction-At-Home Experience

Wine World is generously donating back a portion of all proceeds on select items when you show this email or bring a copy of the below form to the Destin or Grand Boulevard locations. 

Now through August 21, stock up on everything you need to enjoy the live auction broadcast from the comfort of your own home.

Support DCWAF

It is not an overstatement to say that every decision DCWAF makes is done under the lens of how it will impact it’s 16 partner children’s charities. The pandemic has presented new challenges for us all, many of which have not fully been realized. We ask that you consider making a donation to Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation benefiting children in need in Northwest Florida.

Heroes of 2020

DCWAF is incredibly grateful to its 2020 sponsors who have agreed to stand in support of children in need in Northwest Florida during this challenging time. Thank you for your support!

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Shelter House welcomes Rachelle Wyatt as Volunteer Coordinator

Amidst COVID 19, Shelter House has hired Rachelle Wyatt, a 2019 graduate of Florida State University, as the Program and Volunteer Coordinator. With her background in Hospitality, Wyatt will lead efforts in recruiting and coordinating volunteers for the various Shelter House events and donation drives.

Wyatt comes from a background of event planning and coordination in the Destin and Fort Walton Beach area. Prior to COVID 19, Wyatt was the Catering and Conference Service Coordinator for the Henderson Beach Resort in Destin, Florida. Her skills in vendor relations, conference and meeting planning, and budgeting cross over into her new role in Shelter House.

With the ongoing pandemic affecting volunteering efforts, Wyatt continues to work tirelessly to coordinate and fill opportunities for individual volunteers, as group volunteering has been put on hold to ensure appropriate social distancing. Current opportunities to volunteer include lawn care, stocking and sorting pantry items, and organizing other donations.

“The work our volunteers put in truly plays a vital role in our operations,” said Shelter House Executive Director, Rosalyn Wik. “Having a strong, organized professional like Rachelle in this role will make a big impact on office services, shelter life and community events, when those resume.”

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Financial Literacy As A Tool To End Domestic Violence

In addition to Sexual Assault Awareness Month, April was also Financial Literacy Month. In honor of that, we want to share how improved financial literacy and economic stability can help victims find safety from an abusive relationship.

Research shows financial stability as the leading indicator of whether a victim will be able to get and stay safe from an abuse so it’s imperative to help domestic violence survivors with their finances.

Shelter House offers classes periodically at the residential shelter and throughout the community using a curriculum developed by All State called “Moving Ahead Through Financial Management”. The curriculum utilizes modules to increase understanding of financial abuse and how to counteract or address its effects.  Topics include budgeting, insurance, identity theft, credit , banking, taxes, and resume building.

Next community class will be May 25, 2019 from 9am-11am at location TBD. For more info on it contact Ana @ 850-243-1201.

The May community class will focus on tips for purchasing a car and basic car care/maintenance. Class participants will learn how to protect their investment by becoming familiar with basic car maintenance taught by a licensed mechanic.



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Aimee Shaffer, our 2018 SpokesPURSEn of the Year

Aimee Shaffer, our 2018-2019 Purses with a Purpose SpokesPURSEn of the year, is a ray of sunshine in our community. When she isn’t working for her pet sitting business, Aimee’s Animal Magnetism, you will find her spreading joy and volunteering in the community by emceeing for events or attending fundraisers to support causes near and dear to her heart.

Her love of volunteering goes all the way back to her childhood where she helped her mother with various charitable organizations. Her mother was a shining example of using your time, heart, and talents to help others. She was an avid volunteer who taught her daughter the importance of serving others. Sadly, her sweet mother passed away when Aimee was only 12 years old leaving her heartbroken and alone. Through volunteering, she is able to live out her God-given talents and preserve her mother’s legacy.

Aimee endured a lot of hardship and struggle in her life. She is a survivor of repeated domestic violence and came out of the horrible trauma with the help of good friends. There wasn’t a safe place for victims to go and seek help back then. Victims were made to feel ashamed and encouraged to be silent. Aimee is very passionate about the mission at Shelter House and volunteers her time to pay it forward to others. She believes everyone deserves to feel safe, be heard, and receive the help they need. Aimee became the 2018 SpokesPURSEn by raising the most money during Shelter House’s signature event, Purses with a Purpose. She was also inducted into the Okaloosa County Women’s Wall of Honor in 2010 and in 2014 was awarded Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame for volunteering. She has been one of the best things to happen to our community.