FORT WALTON BEACH — February is National Children's Dental Health Month, and the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County wants families to make sure they are taking the right steps to ensure a healthier, happier smile. Beginning to take care of teeth at a young age can help ensure health concerns do not arise later in life. Dental health is key to overall health.

To observe National Children's Dental Health Month, DOH-Okaloosa provided an interactive lesson to the children at Wesleyan Child Care Center in Crestview, Florida and The Children's Center in Fort Walton Beach. Its dental program staff educated the children about healthy habits for teeth, such as brushing and flossing.

"Dental health is important, and parents should make sure children begin proper brushing habits at a young age," Dr. Karen A. Chapman, DOH-Okaloosa director, stated in a media release. "Dental care should begin before the first tooth appears with daily cleanings by wiping the gums with a clean, damp cloth. Daily cleanings with a cloth should continue when first tooth erupts."

After the first tooth, switch to a small, soft toothbrush. The American Dental Association recommends using toothpaste with fluoride on children of all ages. Parents are encouraged to brush the child's teeth twice a day until their child has the skill to handle the toothbrush alone. Parents should apply toothpaste the size of a grain of rice for children under 3 years old and a pea for over 3 years old on the brush. Teeth should be brushed twice per day—morning and night. Supervision of brushing is recommended to make sure the child is doing a thorough job.

DOH-Okaloosa Dental Clinic provides care to children who are insured by any Medicaid plan from the first tooth until they turn 19 years old. The services provided by the clinic include: exams, x-rays, cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, fillings, extractions, emergency care, and more. DOH-Okaloosa will be accepting new dental clients starting March 15.

For more information about the DOH-Okaloosa Dental Clinic, visit www.HealthyOkaloosa.com or call 689-5593.

DOH-Okaloosa works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa health department stresses children's dental care

Editor’s Note: This continues our Celebrate Community series on nonprofit organizations that improve residents’ quality of life.

CRESTVIEW — A new fundraising season is underway for the Crestview chapter of Relay for Life, this year aiming to bring in $90,000 in donations.

Relay for Life is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, which has been in existence since 1985. The event — in over 20 countries — consists of teams that take turns walking around a set course over six to 24 hours.

The Crestview event will take place at Crestview High School and last 12 hours. This will be the event’s second year at CHS. During the time, each team must have at least one member on the track. Their walk symbolizes that “cancer never sleeps” and patients “don’t stop because they’re tired,” according to the group’s website.

Before the main event, teams work to raise individual donations. Proceeds benefit cancer research, patient care, education, prevention services and other ACS needs.

The main event is run during the night, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. One of the highlights of the night event is the luminaria display, during which small, white bags are decorated in memory or support for somebody affected by cancer. Candles are placed in the bags and they are lit in remembrance of those individuals.

Crestview’s event isn’t until April 28, but those looking to get involved don’t have to wait until the day of the relay. Opportunities are available to join or start relay teams, dedicate a luminaria, donate to the cause or attend an area fundraising event.

The next fundraiser for Crestview will be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 10 at Speedee Printing. The company is hosting a $5 cookout in which all proceeds will be donated to Relay. Attendees will also receive a coupon for Lou Lou Beans Gift Shop.

Currently, 22 teams are registered with the Crestview chapter, composed of 92 people. Over $6,000 had been raised as of this writing.

ACS reportedly held over 5,200 Relay For Life events in 2015. The event raised $150 million for cancer research grants, provided over 300,000 rides to and from treatment and assisted over 1 million requests for information and help, according to the organization’s website.

Volunteers can learn more about the Crestview event at www.relay.acsevents.org or email Christie Reid at christie.reid@cancer.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Cancer never sleeps'

CRESTVIEW—Raising awareness for a heart-healthy lifestyle can start at a young age. North Okaloosa County Medical Center is beginning that learning process the day a child is born through a program called “Little Hats, Big Hearts.”

Hospitals across the country joined the American Heart Association for an annual event that symbolically sends awareness to parents about congenital heart defects and the importance of healthy living. The message is sent through a red, knitted cap made by volunteers and given to newborns at birth.

The medical center began planning its participation last year after discussing awareness events with a local AHA representative, according to the director of Marketing and Community Relations for the center, Alicia Booker.

A local knitting group made about 80 caps for donation and has agreed to help the medical center host the event next year, Booker said.

The group is led by Rae Schwartz and meets each Wednesday evening at Casbah Coffee in downtown Crestview. Schwartz was asked during a Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce event if she would be interested in participating — she agreed.

Schwartz has been knitting and crocheting for over 50 years and while she welcomes challenges, she couldn’t say no to this simple but meaningful project.

“We’ve all been touched in some way by heart disease and we’ve all cared for children as parents or grandparents,” Schwartz said.

About a half dozen volunteers made the red hats, which can be stretched to allow for more long term usage. Each hat took about three to five hours to complete, Schwartz said. Patterns for the hats were found using an online forum dedicated to the craft, according to Schwartz.

The event began in February 2014, in Chicago and has since spread to over 40 states, according to the AHA website. This is the first year an area hospital has participated.

“We want to help spread the word and get other hospitals on board with this wonderful cause,” Booker said.

Hospital staff will deliver the hats throughout the month, according to Booker. Leftover hats will be properly stored and recycled for next year, Schwartz said.

Knitters and quilters don’t have to work at a hospital or medical center to participate. Individuals can craft hats and send them to local representatives. Yarn donations can also be made by those with less crafting skills.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Knitting for newborns

CRESTVIEW — The Duke it Out Crestview Relay for Life team will host a murder mystery dinner show to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

Doors open 6:15 p.m. Feb. 11 at Foxwood Country Club, 4927 Antioch Road, Crestview. The Act4Murder presentation of "Pirates, Lies and Mail-Order Brides" begins at 7 p.m. and includes a three-course meal of salad, Kalua pig, garlic chicken, macaroni salad, rice and desserts by Pounders Hawaiian Grill.

Pirate dress is encouraged, and a Best Dressed prize will be awarded to an attendee.

Tickets are $40 per person. To purchase, contact Laurie Klausutis, 826-0959 or dklausutis@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Murder mystery dinner to benefit Relay for Life

CRESTVIEW— 21st Century Oncology has $1,500 more to help others following a donation from Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and a partnership born from tragedy.

Michael Lango lost his wife last year to inflammatory breast cancer. This aggressive form of breast cancer is often not detected during a mammogram and at discovery is often in stage three or four, according to the National Institute of Health. Lango’s wife received about six months to live after her diagnosis; she fought for about three years with treatment from 21st Century.

Lango, a regular visitor to the Crestview Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, was introduced to owner Cliff Longshore and area manager Bill Ellison. The pair wanted to host a breast cancer fundraiser but had no direction, according to Ellison. They began planning the benefit after meeting Lango, who wanted proceeds donated to 21st Century.

The restaurant sold pink breast cancer awareness shirts, accepted donations, raised money from area businesses, sold raffle tickets and had a final “blow-out,” Ellison said.

“[The money] is for research and for education and also for patients for financial assistance,” 21st Century physician liaison Rolando Alvarez said. “It’s phenomenal; the need is huge in this area.”

“They do a lot of good things for a lot of people,” Lango said about 21st Century. He wants to see the fundraiser held each year during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“She had a dream to help others and that’s what this is about — helping others who might need it,” Lango said of his wife.

The concept isn’t new to the team at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s. The restaurant aims to assist the Crestview community as much as it can, according to Longshore.

“Beefs” recently came to the aid of Ryan Weekley, a local athlete who suffered a severe spinal cord injury in December. Weekley was transported to a facility in Atlanta to undergo rehabilitation and attempt to regain movement in most of his body.

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s hosted a fundraiser for Weekley on Saturday and Longshore, who owns another restaurant in Atlanta, said he recently visited the Crestview teenager.

“I was wearing my Crestview [High School] shirt and he just lit up,” Longshore said. “I think he was glad to see a local face for a change.”

The fundraiser for Weekley raised $2,800.

Monthly fundraisers for CHS athletic programs are also held at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s. The location also helped local police purchase K9 units, Ellison said.

“We try to do as many [fundraisers] as we can to help as much as we can,” Longshore said.

In a previous version of this article, Mike Lango's last name was incorrectly spelled. The News Bulletin staff apologizes for this error.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Restaurant supports breast cancer research, education