Rosemary Beach Foundation

Nonprofit Unites The Local Community With Fun Events That Benefit Charities Close To Home

BY ABIGAIL ABESAMIS

IN THE WAKE OF HURRICANE KATRINA IN 2005, a few Rosemary Beach homeowners decided to have a benefit concert, “Tunes for the Dunes” to support the American Red Cross. The event was a success, and the Rosemary Beach Foundation was born.

Since then, the Rosemary Beach Foundation has donated more than $800,000 to local organizations, schools and hurricane recovery efforts. From a girls' getaway weekend to an educational arts initiative, the Foundation's activities continue to attract residents and visitors in a spirit of giving.

GIRLS GETAWAY

The Foundation's longestrunning event, Girls Getaway occurs every Super Bowl weekend. The 15th annual celebration, which benefitted Sacred Heart Hospital’s Family Birth Place neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) featured HGTV designer, Vern Yip, visual artist, Allison Wickey and songwriter, Jessie Ritter.

Over the past several years, $55,000 has been donated to Sacred Heart Hospital through the Foundation’s efforts and events.

photo by Epic Photo

MUSIC IN PICTURES

This program was created with the goal of introducing and inciting a lifelong appreciation for symphonic music to Walton County students. To accomplish this, the Foundation collaborates with professional musicians as well as faculty and graduate students from Florida State University to create a comprehensive program consisting of performances, presentations and workshops. Each year, approximately 4,000 students participate in Music in Pictures in one form or another, and about 4,000 take part in the juried art contest and exhibition. The exhibition, which runs for two months, showcases entries from Walton County students in grades K–12. Each year, students are asked to create a drawing or painting that represents their interpretation of classical music. Awards are given and determined by an expert panel of both visual and performing artists.

The Music in Pictures student art exhibition returns in March and April. The paintings will be displayed at Rosemary Beach Amavida Coffee & Tea, Sacred Heart Hospital, Coastal Library and Freeport Library.

30A CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT

Taking advantage of the great lawns dotting Rosemary Beach, the Foundation runs a cornhole tournament every spring. At last year's 5th annual cornhole tournament, Corn Kings won the title, with The Bosses as the runner-up. The event takes place during National Autism Awareness Month. This year’s tournament on April 18 will benefit Westonwood Ranch (a farmbased learning program for young adults with autism) and South Walton Academy (a nonprofit, private school which focuses on offering an inclusive environment with special supports for children with Autism and other related disabilities such as Dyslexia, ADHD, and more).

photo by Brady G. Robert

ROSEMARY BEACH UNLEASHED™

A dog-friendly community like Rosemary Beach naturally needed a pet -friendly festival, so the Foundation created Rosemary Beach Unleashed. Entering its 8th year, the 10th year benefits Alaqua Animal Refuge, a Freeport based sanctuary for all kinds of animals - dogs, cats, horses, birds and more.

Rosemary Beach Unleashed is a free event which occurs annually on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. On November 22, bring your family and enter your favorite canine in the dog parade and contests. Prizes are awarded for best costumes, tricks and pet/owner lookalikes.

HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES

Hosted by Rosemary Beach Realty and Cottage Rental Company, with support from the Foundation, guests are invited to tour stunning homes, decorated in their finest. Over 700 individuals attended the inaugural event in 2019. From the proceeds, $10,000 was donated to charitable partner, the Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Club

The Rosemary Beach Foundation is supported by program revenues, grants and donations by individuals and businesses. To learn more and to become a Friend of Rosemary Beach Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, please visit www. rosemarybeachfoundation.org.

ARTFULLY UNITING EXTRAORDINARY HOMES WITH EXTRAORDINARY LIVES.

We believe everyone deserves the extraordinary. Mary Alice Johnson & Marsha Burke

MARY ALICE JOHNSON BROKER ASSOCIATE c 850.855.8311 maryalice@scenicsir.com

MARSHA BURKE

REALTOR® c 770.722.8656 marsha@scenicsir.com

...come bike with us

12805 US Highway 98 East | Suite D201 | Inlet Beach, Florida 32461