Rosemary Beach Foundation

Rosemary Beach Foundation is in its 14th year of helping our community, and once again we are continuing that commitment with the COVID-19 Emergency Fund. One hundred percent of all donations go towards addressing the needs of Walton County families.

Through the generous contributions by our Rosemary Beach community, our local charitable partners, Shelter House of Northwest Florida, Food For Thought, and Caring and Sharing of South Walton, each received $5,000 to provide food, mental health, and housing assistance.

Domestic violence reports are up nationwide. Shelter House, a state-certified domestic and sexual violence center founded in 1985, provides free and confidential services for victims and survivors in Walton and Okaloosa counties. “Throughout the pandemic, our residential shelter has remained open, and continues to house survivors of domestic violence, their children and their pets. Our 24/7 hotline for domestic violence and sexual assault helpline have been busy, taking over 350 calls since March,” says Rosalyn Wik, Executive Director, Shelter House.

Food For Thought based in Santa Rosa Beach, FL provides backpacks filled with healthy, easy to prepare food for students who are dependent on free or reduced school meals. Their goal is to support a child’s development and educational experience by bridging the gap between school meals during weekends and holiday breaks. Food For Thought has been working to fight child hunger since 2010, and currently serves 32 schools in Walton and Okaloosa Counties.

During 2019-2020 school year before the COVID-19 “Stay at Home” Order, Food For Thought

Deanna Muldowney, Rosalyn Wik, and Malayne DeMars

Food For Thought Curbside Pick-Up

was providing weekly backpacks of food to over 3,300 students. “When the global pandemic hit and schools closed their doors, Food For Thought shifted immediately into curbside services and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future,” Tiffanie Nelson, Founder & CEO. Food For Thought is currently serving 500-600 families a month with curbside food distributions. Each vehicle receives 30 to 50 full-size food items in order to prepare meals for the entire family.

Shelter House advocates Caring & Sharing provides food, clothing, prescription, rent and utility assistance to residents of Walton County.

“Since March, we have provided over $130,000 in financial assistance to our neighbors in need in Walton County. We are providing resources to a number of families who have never needed our services before,” Carly Harmer, Executive Director at Caring & Sharing.

Dinelle Puttman, Malayne DeMars, and Tiffanie Nelson

“Our team is continuing to work with our clients to figure out how we can best support them during this challenging time. In mid-July, we began offering health counseling to our clients each week. We have already started to see the positive impact they are having on our clients. We are thankful for the generosity of our community, enabling us to keep up with the increased demands and needs of our clients.”

About Rosemary Beach Foundation

Established by homeowners in 2006, Rosemary Beach Foundation offers and supports educational programs, community events, and charitable activities for residents and visitors of Rosemary Beach and Walton County, Florida. These initiatives have been adapted to adhere to social distancing guidelines mandated by the State of Florida and Walton County.

In its 14-year history, over $850,000 has been donated to local organizations, schools, hurricane recovery and COVID relief efforts.

Rosemary Beach Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, operates on program revenues, sponsorships, grants and contributions from individuals and businesses. To learn more and to become a Friend of Rosemary Beach Foundation, please visit www. rosemarybeachfoundation.org or contact Executive Director, Malayne DeMars at rbfcontact@ gmail.com

Carly Harmer, photo by Jacqueline Ward Images

“Stay Safe” artwork by Eloise Medlin, a kindergarten student at Van R. Butler Elementary School. Eloise participated in Music in Pictures, Rosemary Beach Foundation’s year-long educational arts program in 18 Walton County schools.