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As in previous years, the ECBC hosts creative programs and events to benefit worthy local and national organizations. The Billfish Foundation and Harvest House have been the two charities named since the ECBC's inception. This year, The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast joins the list of benefactors.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast is dedicated to promoting "the social, educational, health, leadership & character development of boys and girls during critical periods of their growth." Through recreational and educational facilities, the Boys & Girls Clubs provide a safe learning environment for children ages 6 to 17 in Okaloosa and Walton counties.
Life-enhancing and character development experiences are available at four locations along the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast through sunrise (before school), after-school and full-day programs. The Boys & Girls Clubs' mission is to "inspire and enable all young people, their families and their community to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens."
In addition, Boys & Girls Club members will be on-site during the ECBC, lending their helping hand to the smooth operation of the tournament. For more information on The Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, call 850.862.1616 or visit www.bgcec.com.
The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is a non-profit organization with a very clear objective—the conservation and enhancement of billfish populations worldwide through scientific research, education and advocacy.
The foundation supports the development of an international network and action plan to stop the over-exploitation of billfish worldwide and return stocks to levels of healthy abundance on a continuing basis.
The ECBC supports The Billfish Foundation by donating cash funds raised through raffles, auctions and other activities, so look for representatives of TBF throughout the tournament festivities—they'll have some pretty amazing stuff for raffle and auction. For more information about The Billfish Foundation, call 800.438.8247 or visit www.billfish.org.
All of the meatfish weighed in on Friday and Saturday evening will be donated to Harvest House, located in Destin. Harvest House is a Christian-based organization that reaches out to those in the community who have fallen on hard times by providing food, clothing and household items along with financial assistance for prescriptions and utilities, counseling and prayer. The Harvest House, which is more than 20 years old, serves nearly 500 clients each year with the purpose of reaching out with compassion and hope without compromising dignity. Harvest House provides meals for roughly 30 to 50 families weekly. Local churches, businesses and residents in the Destin community provide most of the donated items and food.
According to Jerry Ogle, founder and board member, Harvest House receives $10,000 to $12,000 each year from the ECBC tournament meatfish. "The proceeds from The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic are a big part of our operating budget; we really depend on this to carry out our mission to provide food, clothing and, later, shelter to those in need." According to Ogle, Harvest House is close to providing the third part of their vision, shelter, with the anticipated summer opening of Hosanna House. The house will act as a temporary residence to as many as 16 abused women, offering not only safe shelter, but also job- and life-skills programs.
"Absent of having a physical location to offer shelter, we did what we always have—provide assistance to abused women in need," said Ogle. "Hosanna House completes the puzzle and the mission of our organization." Ogle notes that as many as 10 to 12 abused women per month are counseled currently. Ogle and Harvest House started raising funds to begin work on the Hosanna House in 2000.
Harbor Docks restaurant, also in Destin, after weighing and preparing the meat for wholesale, donates a percentage of the per pound proceeds to Harvest House. For more information about Harvest House, call 850.837.2277. |
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Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin • 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy W • Destin, FL 32550
phone 866.505.4458 • fax 850.267.8178 • email: shawnameisner@sandestin.com |
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