Okaloosa Arts Alliance The official Local Arts Agency For Okaloosa County
OAA Member News
Ft. Walton Beach Medical Ct. Auxiliary Donates to CIC
The Fort Walton Beach Medical Center Auxiliary recently presented a check for $1,000 to Children in Crisis to help feed, clothe, and give a loving home to the children living at the CIC Neighborhood.
Ken Hair, CIC President & CEO commented, “2020 has been a difficult year due to COVID-19 and a reduction in donations which makes the challenge critical. The donation will make a huge difference in the lives of our children. Support from the FWB Medical Ct. Auxiliary is vital to our very worthy mission.”
Children in Crisis is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), charity of caring people that are passionate about helping with the severe shortage of foster homes in our community. The CIC Neighborhood provides an emergency shelter for children that are removed from an unsafe environment on short notice and homes to help with the foster home shortage. Since the opening, over 985 children have been given a home, food, clothing and love. Additionally, all of our brother and sister family sibling groups have been kept together. For additional information on CIC or ways to support the CIC vision, please visit www.childrenincrisisfl.org or call 864-4242.
Emerald Coast Foundation Donates $20,000 to CIC Kids
The Emerald Coast Foundation selected Children in Crisis to be one of the benefiting charities of the Great Emerald Coast Poker Run Draw Down and donated a check for $20,000. The funds raised by the event will help feed, clothe, care, and give a safe, loving home to over 100 at-risk children this year. The selection of CIC for funding clearly shows Emerald Coast Foundation’s continued commitment of support to the children of our community. Ken Hair, CIC President, and CEO commented: "The support by the Emerald Coast Foundation is critical to our children having a home and makes a difference in the lives of hundreds of at-risk children. Thanks to their support we will be able to continue our very important mission and keep the CIC Neighborhood open and operating. Thanks!"
Demetrius Fuller Announced as New Chief Executive Officer
At a special press conference, MKAF announced that Demetrius Fuller has been named as Chief Executive Officer. Demetrius will replace Marcia Hull, who has served as MKAF CEO for the past 22 years. After years of devoted service, Marcia is retiring on December 31, 2020.
Demetrius, who will continue to serve as the Music & Artistic Director of Sinfonia Gulf Coast, will lead at the helm of an arts and culture partnership between the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and Sinfonia Gulf Coast. While both organizations will remain intact and separately governed, the new endeavor is the vision of both the MKAF and Sinfonia boards of directors. Capital campaign endeavors have commenced and are being led by Atlanta-based Tomlinson-Graham Group. The name of the parent organization, which Demetrius will ultimately be Chief Executive & Artistic Officer, along with the vision and plans for the transformation of the MKAF property in Destin into a cultural and educational hub, will be announced in early 2021.