The 8th Annual Children in Crisis Charity Golf Classic raised $30,000 for local children who've been abused, neglected and abandoned, according to organizers.

More than 130 golfers competed for the first-, second- and third-place prizes — including longest drive and closest to the pin awards — March 14 at the Fort Walton Beach Golf Course.

This year’s winning team was Mike Sowers, Greg Lile, Brian Young and Scott Corley with a winning score of 56 net. John Williams of Fort Walton Beach, who was randomly selected to try for the Million Dollar Shot, just missed the hole.

Tournament proceeds benefited the Children's Neighborhood, a foster home and facility for Northwest Florida children removed from their families without notice, according to Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Children in Crisis golf tourney raises $30,000

CRESTVIEW — Colorful Easter baskets were slowly taking over the Jackson Hewitt office's lobby as volunteers prepared for the firm's annual distribution.

The company annually partners with Emerald Coast Hospice. This year baskets containing toiletries, candy, plush animals and sometimes game books went to every resident at Crestview Manor and Stanley House in DeFuniak Springs.

This year's effort was expected to result in more than 120 baskets, said organizer Shirley Perring, a registered senior tax preparer.

Each Jackson Hewitt employee prepares as many baskets as he or she wishes, she said. As of March 30 they had enough to cover the Manor's 62 residents, plus 40 Stanley House residents in DeFuniak Springs.

"If there's enough left over, we're going to deliver them to Silvercrest Manor," Perring said. "We expect to meet our goal."

Two of the company's clients each donated a Publix sheet cake to deliver to Crestview Manor and Stanley House, Perring said.

Any leftover basket components were donated to the Manor to use as bingo prizes, she said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Business prepares Easter baskets for assisted living residents

CRESTVIEW — Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park staffers invite the community to join the animals and them for the first "Easter Egg-stravagan ZOO" April 12.

Families can expect a day of Easter Egg hunts, arts and crafts, planting flowers and the opportunity meet the Easter Bunny.

The activities are included in regular admission fees. Staffers also will offer the opportunity to take photos with the Easter Bunny for $5.

"This is something new and different," park volunteer Deborah Edwards said. "We have never had a benefit event at the zoo since we took it over."

The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge took over the former Sasquatch Zoo's operations in 2012 when former owner and operator Debbie Mattox retired. 

Refuge staffers regularly organize Christmas and Halloween- themed events in Fort Walton Beach.

With this event, Edwards also wants to show some of the zoo's renovations since re-opening in June 2012.

In addition to opening the gift shop, the zoo now has a climate-controlled exhibit for a sloth and exhibits for foxes and ring-tailed lemurs.  

Attendees also can expect special guest visits from a few of the refuge's animal ambassadors, Edwards said.

The ambassadors, which often include an otter, owl or skunk, regularly visit the zoo from their home at the refuge's rehabilitation facility on Okaloosa Island. 

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Easter Egg-StravaganZOO

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 12. Rain date is April 13.   

WHERE:Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park, 5262 Deer Spring Drive, just off U.S. Highway 90, Crestview

COST: $8 admission for adults, $5 for children ages 2 to 10 and free for children under age 2. 

ONLINE: www.ecwrzoo.com/easter-egg-stravaganzoo

EmailNews Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitteror call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Zoo to host Easter activities April 12

CRESTVIEW — Residents will have two opportunities April 12 to raise money while exercising for worthy causes.

The Crestview Exchange Club will host the 3rd Annual Mayor's 5K Walk, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Bob Sikes Elementary School.

Click here for the Mayor's 5K Walk application >>

Proceeds will benefit the Crestview Service Center of the Families First Network of Lakeview, which could mean additional income or necessities that could help local foster children, event organizer Cheri Pittman said.

"Sometimes these foster parents will receive a foster child with nothing more than a diaper on," she said.

Shoal River Middle School's boys and girls track coaches will present the fourth annual Annelise's Wild Mustang 5K Run, 8 a.m., beginning in the school parking lot. Water stations will be available along the route.

Click here for the Annelise's Wild Mustang 5K Run / Walk application >>

"This is our only main fundraiser for the track team," said co-event organizer Summer Purcell, who also coaches the girls track team and teaches civics classes.

Event proceeds will help purchase track uniforms, starting blocks, water bottles and first aid equipment. The event commemorates Annelise Adams, the school's former attendance receptionist who died from cancer in 2010.

T-shirts are available for participants of either event.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Annelise's Wild Mustang 5K Run/Walk

WHEN:  Race begins at 8 a.m. April 12

WHERE: Shoal River Middle School, 3200 E. Redstone Ave., Crestview

COST: $20 entry fee

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Mayor's 5K Walk

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. April 12. Early registration begins at 7:30 a.m.

WHERE: Bob Sikes Elementary School, 425 Adams Drive, Crestview 

COST: $18

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fundraisers for local foster families, Shoal River track team set April 12 (FORMS)

Bay Area Food Bank — which annually partners with numerous sites to serve children meals through its Summer Food Service Program when school is out — wants to expand its reach. 

Last year, 24 Florida sites participated in the program. This year, the food bank wants to partner with additional programs or facilities where children tend to congregate. This could include summer camps, sports programs, community centers, libraries and churches.

Participating sites will receive complete, nutritionally balanced meals delivered daily at no cost. Sites may serve up to two meals per day with a choice of breakfast and lunch.

Interested sites — which must register by April 11 — must:

•Be in an area where at least 50 percent of the children are eligible for free or reduced price lunch

•Be open to all children (18 years old and younger)

•Have representatives attend a training class prior to the start of the program.

Contact the child nutrition coordinator Leah Weber, lweber@bayareafoodbank.org or 850-626-1332, or visit www.bayareafoodbank.org for details.         

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Food bank seeks sites for summer program; register by April 11