EGLIN AFB — The arrival of the Army’s 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) more than a year ago has been a welcome boost to a slumping local economy.

The group, which officially opened its cantonment in October 2011, should pump about $3.2 billion into Okaloosa County’s economy between 2010 and 2016, according to a report from the Haas Center at the University of West Florida.

It’s enough to offset the departure of 50 F-15s from the Air Force’s 33rd Fighter Wing in 2009, which will result in a loss of $3.3 billion during the same time period, the report said.

Although the report calls it a nearly even trade, the area felt the economic boost when Army families began arriving from Fort Bragg, N.C., last year because the economy was so depressed, said Rod Lewis, director of the Haas Center.

Their arrival came on the heels of the housing bubble burst in 2008 and then the loss of the F-15s in 2009.

“It was a double whammy,” Lewis said.

After two years of significantly negative population growth in Okaloosa County, the 7th Special Forces Group brought about 6,000 new people, including 2,200 soldiers and their families, to the area.

People had been used to operating in the slump, Lewis said. “Then, boom.”

The county has felt the impact, especially in Crestview where most of the families settled.

“We’re very pleased with the outcome,” said Kay Rasmussen, interim president of the Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County. “The community has embraced the families moving into our neighborhoods.”

She described a ripple effect on the local economy as the new families started purchasing and leasing homes and taking advantage of retail.

Also, many of the soldiers’ spouses opened small businesses, primarily in the Crestview area, Rasmussen said.

The departure of the F15s, the arrival of the Special Forces Group and then the arrival of the first F-35s at Eglin Air Force Base were all called for in a Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) report in 2005.

The F-35s — the first of which arrived at Eglin in July 2011 — have brought about 1,300 people to the community, said Col. Tony Douglas, vice commander of the Air Force’s 96th Test Wing, which oversees operations at the base.

“It has been a big transition (for Eglin),” Douglas said.

It’s going well, though, he said.

At a sprawling 724 square miles — about the size of Rhode Island — Eglin is the Department of Defense’s largest installation and was ready to absorb the new missions, Douglas said. The community also welcomed the new personnel with open arms.

 “It’s been great, not just for TEAM Eglin, but for the local community as well,” he said. “We’ve got more people coming into what is, in my opinion, a very exciting and diverse installation.”

Many people had expectations that the new Army jobs would be low pay and would not offset the loss of the F-15s, which relocated about 2,000 airmen, Lewis said.

“They were a bit afraid. The Army’s coming. The Army’s coming,” he said. “But these people are very well-paid. This is not a private first class making $20,000 a year.”

The 7th Special Forces soldiers are largely well-educated and earn $70,000 to $90,000 a year.

 “That’s quite a different (economic) impact when you look at it,” he said.

Lewis said 65 to 75 percent of the families settled in north Okaloosa County.

The soldiers deploy regularly and military spouses wanted to live close to each other for support. They also are a tight-knit group, having all been stationed together at Fort Bragg for years.

“Crestview got out ahead,” Lewis said. “They were very welcoming and worked to promote Crestview as the place to be.”

Many of the families just didn’t look anywhere else, he said.

Lewis said he was somewhat surprised more families didn’t move south because housing was much more affordable closer to the beach and Choctawhatchee Bay than it would have been before the housing market crashed.

He said the lingering question about the military’s economic impact remains what level of growth the area will see from the F-35 program.

At one point, the Air Force estimated there would be 107 planes at Eglin. Twenty-two jets have arrived so far.

The effects have been positive, but just how much economic benefit will come from the program is yet to be determined, Lewis said.

“They are just not here in the numbers we initially thought they would be,” he said.

Contact Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Sage Reinlie at 850-315-4443 or lreinlie@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenRnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 7th Special Forces Group has given the area a needed economic boost

CRESTVIEW — Crowds lined both sides of Main Street this evening to see the Christmas Parade (which was put together by the Main Street Crestview Association). The street was closed off and barricaded to make way for the numerous decorated floats.

Troop leader Lisa Tatro and girls from Girl Scout troop #637 were dressed up in the pajamas for a story time themed float. Each float had to be decorated to this year's theme of "Blessed are the Children."

"This is our second time (in the parade)," Tatro said. "This is our first time with a float and they are very excited about that." Each member of the troop even designed posters that were displayed on each side of the float. 

"Each one made a poster of what they felt blessed children said," Tatro said.

Troop #637 was one of several scout troops that participated, which also included middle and high school marching bands, each of them performing Christmas music. Many local fire crews and police officers took part by showing off some of the vehicles they use.

Many Local businesses, churches and non-profit organizations showed their creativity with their floats. One example was AAA Waste Services in Crestview, who turned one of their service trucks into the "Island of Misfit Toys." Like in year's past, the best was saved for last when Santa made an appearance at the end of the parade.

"We just enjoy coming to this every year," David Phillips said, Phillips was attending with his wife Kathy. The long time residents said they have been attending the parade for the past 30 years.

"I used to help my grandchildren gather the candy," Phillips said. "This time we're just going to sit back.

Some of the residents that are new to the area were not quite sure what to expect.

"It was a great parade," Suzanne Palmater said. "I was surprised by the number of (marching) bands and how long it was." Palmater, who moved to the area two years ago, was also surprised by the turnout. 

"I didn't think Crestview had that many people," Palmater said. She added that she plans on attending the parade again next year.

Sean Barthel and his wife and three children recently moved to the area from Alaska.

"Were not used to being spectators, we liked throwing candy" Barthel said. Barthel said he and his family would participate in parades in Alaska.

His son, Liam Barthel, 9, had a strategy to catch a lot of candy. Liam was wearing a large top hat that he had made recently as a class project at Bob Sikes Elementary. The top hat he made could also hold a lot of candy.

"I'm going to try and fill it, before I leave here," Liam Barthel said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Christmas Parade continues to bring in large crowds

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Public Library will tackle a global topic as part of its First Tuesday Series. George Collins, of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, will discuss human trafficking at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 4.

Collins, who has been with the sheriff's office since 2001, deals with human trafficking cases while working with the Homeland Security unit and the regional domestic security taskforce.

 "There have been several instances of human trafficking in the (Florida) panhandle," Collins said, adding illegal human trade could happen in any small town.

Aside from prostitution, other forms include labor trafficking, domestic servitude and debt bonding, Collins said. "Debt bonding mainly involves those who are in the country illegally,” he said, adding that immigrants face a huge debt from their smugglers. "Usually, these unscrupulous people continue to raise that person's debt once they are in the country," Collins said.

An abundance of people living in a small space — like 15 people in a two-bedroom apartment — may be an indicator of human trafficking, especially if several  vehicles go to and from a residence, officials said. Non-English speaking people who seem depressed or sad while at work also may be red flags.

"The best thing to do is contact law enforcement and not approach the subjects on their own," Collins said. Additionally, residents should have as much information as possible before contacting the authorities.

"The more information we have, the better off we are at stopping these kinds of activities," Collins said.

The library staff hopes attendees leave with a better understanding on the many ways human trafficking occurs within U.S. borders, reference librarian Sandra Dreaden said.

"We want people to know that modern slavery is still around in other forms to this day," Dreaden said. "We want them to learn how to be aware of these situations and what they can do to help prevent it."

Coffee and cookies will be available beforehand. Call the library, 682-4432, for details.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: OCSO officer to discuss human trafficking Tuesday morning

BAKER — Baker School students plan to treat area senior citizens to a Dec. 4 banquet, beginning at noon, that will include fellowship, food and music.

Baker High School Band and the school's chorus group will perform Christmas music. Students will then escort guests to the lunchroom for a Christmas meal prepared by the school's culinary students. Some 30 members of the Baker School SGA, leadership program and the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps also will participate in the event, escorting guests to the dining area and serving their meal.

Middle and high school students, along with elementary students, will help.

 This week, Carol Hansford's and Janet Turner's kindergarten classes made place mats for the guests. The kids broke out their crayons to decorate the place mats with snowflakes, gingerbread men and reindeer. Andrea Brown's third-graders will make corsages.

The banquet is a tradition at Baker School.

"They have been doing at Baker for a very long time," said Jeannette Henderson, 81, a 1949 graduate who was a secretary there 1956 to 1988. "Its just wonderful to see the work the students put in to show that they care for the seniors in the community."

"The senior citizens enjoy it so much and we look forward to them coming every year," Hansford, who’s helped with the event for the past 25 years, said.

Senior citizens in the area should make reservations ahead of time, event organizers said, by calling the Baker School front office, 689-7279, during school hours, 7:40 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Denise Gronberg — who has sponsored the event, on behalf of the Baker School Student Government Association, which she oversees, for the past three years — said the event has grown in attendance each year.

"Every year it seems to get bigger and better," she said. "The luncheon is our way of showing our appreciation to the senior citizens in the area."

"From my second to third year (sponsoring the event), the number of people (attending) doubled from 25 to 50," Gronberg, a high school civics teacher, said.

 "The students really put in a lot of passion into this event, every year," she said.

!——-HUB NOTE: PLEASE IGNORE BELOW

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker students preparing for Dec. 4 Senior Citizens Banquet

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) has set its sights even higher for its annual Jingle Bell Jog this year.

View a gallery of photos from last year's run.

In its 34th year, the group hopes to attract 2,000 participants for the jog Dec. 8.

The 5K and 10K runs raise money for Special Forces Association Chapter 7, which offers support to Special Forces soldiers and their families.

“We hope we will get the support we’re looking for,” said Lt. Col. James Brownlee, a spokesman for the 7th Special Forces Group.

Last year was the first time the group held its run locally after moving to Eglin Air Force Base from Fort Bragg, N.C. The 7th Special Force Group was able to more than double participation.

At Fort Bragg, 600 to 700 runners usually turned out to jog through downtown, Brownlee said.

In Fort Walton Beach last year, 1,300 people signed up to run from Uptown Station, across the Brooks Bridge and then down Santa Rosa Boulevard on Okaloosa Island.

This year, the group has set a huge goal, Brownlee said. It has purchased 2,000 T-shirts for potential participants and hopes to draw an even larger crowd to the same route.

The Army 7th Special Forces employs about 2,200 soldiers. Currently, between 600 and 800 of them are deployed to Afghanistan and a similar number are serving in Central and South America, Brownlee said.

The Special Forces Association Chapter 7 offers support to those soldiers and about 4,000 of their family members.

“Chapter 7 was established to do things right by our soldiers and their families,” Brownlee said. “It doesn’t matter if they’re Green Berets or support soldiers, our motto is ‘it’s a family business.’”

That support extends from purchasing food and providing child care for family events to helping families after a soldier is killed in combat.

For example, the association was able to help Sgt. Jesse Britton after her husband, 25-year-old Staff Sgt. Andrew Britton-Mihalo, also with the Special Forces group, was killed in Afghanistan in April. It purchased items for a memorial and had a large portrait of Britton-Mihalo printed and framed for his family.

“The Army doesn’t pay for that,” Brownlee said. “There’s not a fund out there to help families on a person-to-person basis.”

In addition, four 7th Special Forces soldiers have died in car accidents or other non-combat-related injuries since the group relocated last year, he said.

Not only is the race for a great cause, it’s also really fun, Brownlee said.

Last year, the group held its first costume contest for the jog, and Brownlee said many participants showed up in hilarious and outrageous costumes. Many people also donned Santa and elf hats and reindeer antlers.

They plan to continue the tradition this year.

After the race, prizes ranging from gift certificates to guns will be raffled off, and a live band will perform at Uptown Station.

In response to popular demand, the group will add an additional perk this year — free beer, Brownlee said.

Check-in will begin at 6 a.m. at Uptown Station. The race kicks off at 8 a.m.

Registration is $30 online through midnight Dec. 6. Participants also can register in person for $35 from 2 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at Uptown Station and at the starting line Dec. 8.

TO LEARN MORE: For more information about the Jingle Bell Jog or to register, visit www.sfa7.com.

Contact Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Sage Reinlie at 850-315-4443 or lreinlie@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenRnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Jingle Bell Jog set for Dec. 8 (SLIDESHOW)

If you’re having a hard time figuring out what to read next, or you just want to rant or rave about the latest book you’ve read, join the Robert L. F. Sikes Crestview Public Library Goodreads group on www.goodreads.com.

Goodreads is a fabulous place to find that next great read, but the service isn’t just a reader’s advisory. This site has tons of features. You can catalog what you’ve read, what you are currently reading, and what you want to read. (If you are like me, your list of “have read” is a lot shorter than your “want to read” list!)

There are book giveaway drawings, polls, book groups and much more. It’s free to join, so sign up for an account today, search for Robert L. F. Sikes Crestview Public Library, and join us.

Happy readings!

Marie Garcia is the Crestview Public Library’s assistant library director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: 'Tis the season to share your reading lists

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS — Partners in Progress’ 22nd Annual Christmas Tour of Homes runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1.

Tickets — adults, $18.75 plus tax; children under 12, $7.50 plus tax; and babies in arms, free — are available 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the DeFuniak Springs Visitors Center, 1162 Circle Drive.

Included homes are as follows:

• 128 E. Main St.

• 181 Plateau Ave.

• 265 S. 12th St.

• 84 Bay Ave.

• 34 E. Main St., “Wildwood”

The nonprofit, Partners in Progress, promotes activities and community projects that promote heritage tourism in the DeFuniak area.

Proceeds from the Christmas Tour of Homes, its primary fundraiser, will benefit maintenance and operating expenses of The Lil’ Trolley, which is available for community activities, festivals, tours of the Historic District and other social events.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Christmas Tour of Homes coming Dec. 1 to DeFuniak Springs

LAUREL HILL — Laurel Hill and Crestview Presbyterian Church members are preparing for the Laurel Hill church’s third annual Living Nativity program. Actors are learning their lines and supporters are weighing how to transport animals to the historic Visitors will follow a candle-lit path on their personal pilgrimages to the Bethlehem manger, encountering familiar Biblical faces along the way.

“Luminaries will light the path as you make your way from ‘Dr. Luke’s home and travel back in time to hear the Christmas story told by various persons from that wonderful story,” the churches’ pastor, the Rev. Mark Broadhead, said.

“As you warm yourself by their fires, you will be able to reflect on the deep meaning of the experiences they share. Eventually, you will find yourself at the door of the stable where the Star of Bethlehem has led you. There you will find the Christ-Child.”

Mostly student actors from several Crestview and Laurel Hill churches, including First Baptist Church of Laurel Hill, First Presbyterian Church of Crestview and First United Methodist Church of Crestview, as well as adult performers, portray familiar people from the Bible story, including the shepherds, Mary, Joseph, King Herod and a Roman tax collector.

The Dec. 8 pageant includes live animals and takes place at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church, 8115 Fourth St. Admission is free, groups are welcome, and visitors may remain for refreshments and fellowship. Parking is available at the Laurel Hill School track north of the church.

Call 682-2835 for more information.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Annual Laurel Hill ‘pilgrimage to Bethlehem’ is Dec. 8

PAXTON — Until someone told Katie Renfroe’s parents Tuesday morning, it had never occurred to Angie and Dan Renfroe to Google their 4-year-old daughter’s name. Now, if they type in “Katie Renfroe,” a story published Sunday in the Northwest Florida Daily News will pop up dozens of times in a multitude of languages from media outlets around the world. The story about the little Paxton girl with the big cheeks has gone viral. And although donations have begun to pour in for the family of 10, the Renfroes say the greatest gift is the opportunity to inspire others. “I think it will definitely get the word out that just because your child has a problem, you shouldn’t go and abort it,” said Angie, who was touched by online comments from other parents who have faced similar challenges. “Think of all the people we’re helping,” she said. Katie was diagnosed in utero with megalencephaly, a rare disorder that causes some of her facial features to be abnormally large. She has also had part of her brain removed to help control seizures. The family, which includes two younger siblings and five older ones, lives modestly outside Paxton. Although Catholic Charities has helped them occasionally, Marketing Director Kelly Humphrey said the Renfroes ask for nothing and insist that the organization give to others who really need it. The organization’s Fort Walton Beach branch is helping the family with Christmas presents for the children and accepting phone calls from folks with questions about the family. Humphrey’s cell phone number was listed in the original story, along with information about an account that has been set up for Katie at Regions Bank. She said that her phone started ringing Monday morning and hasn’t stopped since. Folks from across the country have called. “Each time I picked up the phone, I would see a different area code on the caller ID,” Humphrey said.  “I had a man call me from Las Vegas. He was in tears. He said, ‘This story just touches my heart. People gripe and complain about all their little problems. You see this and you think, why in the world would I be complaining?’ ” Humphrey said people also were moved that the family was self-reliant despite both parents being unemployed. Local people called as well. The first person to reach Humphrey was someone at an automotive repair shop in Crestview offering to service the family’s 22-year-old van. The Renfroes left Tuesday afternoon for South Florida, where Katie is scheduled to begin a series of surgeries to improve her quality of life. Right now, her petite frame is not strong enough to support the weight of her head. At nearly 5 years old, she weighs just 28 pounds. On previous trips to the hospital in South Florida, Angie said she borrowed her brother’s credit card and paid him back bit by bit over time. This time will be different. By Tuesday morning, $700 already had been deposited into the account, and Angie figured that would be enough to see them through the two-week stay. “Financially, we’re all good for this trip,” she said. “Without the help of everyone out there, I’m not saying we couldn’t do it — we’ve always found a way — but it is so much easier. “This way, I don’t owe anybody anything except gratitude.” WANT TO HELP? An account has been set up at Regions Bank in the name of Angie Renfroe for the benefit of Katie Renfroe. Catholic Charities is also working with the family. Contact Daily News Staff Writer Wendy Victora at 850-315-4478 or wvictora@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @WendyVnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview resident among many helping Paxton family

PAXTON — It’s hard to know what Katie Renfroe thinks.

She laughs when her sisters and brothers sing and dance and act crazy in front of her.

Loud noises thrill her.

She likes sweets and some salty snacks, even though she gets most of her nutrition through a feeding tube.

She watches the Disney Channel with the rapt attention of most 4-year-olds.

But Katie was born with a rare disorder that makes her quite different than most little girls her age.

Diagnosed with megalencephaly before she was born, some of Katie’s facial features are unusually large.

To learn more about this disorder, visit the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. >>

She also had part of her brain removed as an infant to control the seizures that were happening as often as 50 times a day.

“All we know is we give her all the love, all the attention we know how to give her,” says her mom, Angie Renfroe. “We’ve never treated her like she has a handicap.”

Katie is the sixth of Angie and Danial Renfroe’s eight children, the one who came along after doctors told them Angie wouldn’t be having any more.

In the first trimester, doctors noticed anomalies on her ultrasound. The baby’s head was “oddly shaped,” her parents were told.

At three and a half months, a specialist told her parents that Katie’s head was three times larger than normal. He gave them the name of Katie’s rare disorder, but it meant nothing to the rural Paxton couple.

He also told them what her life — and their life — would be like.

“He was trying to help us understand that she might be a vegetable,” Danial says.

“She ain’t nowhere near what they said she was gonna be.”

The specialist told them to come back in two weeks after they had decided what they were going to do.

The couple drove home from Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. As soon as they got there, Angie went into their room, got into bed and cried.

“I tried to figure out how we were going to deal with this,” she said.

And then she realized she had choices.

“You can lay here, you can cry or you can leave this in God’s hands, which is where she belongs,” Angie remembers thinking.

Next, she talked to God.

“If you let me have her, I’ll raise her and take care of her the best I know how to do for as long as you give her to me.”

Having made peace with her decision, she talked to Danial.

“I told him, ‘If you can’t handle it — they’re telling us it’s going to be bad — go now,” she says.

He recalls looking at her like she was crazy. He wasn’t going anywhere.

‘Big, pretty cheeks’ Katie was delivered by cesarean section at Sacred Heart on Jan. 28, 2008.

Angie doesn’t remember much about the delivery except seeing her daughter’s “big, pretty cheeks.”

Danial remembers getting his first peek at his “Katie-Bug” while she lay in an incubator right after the delivery.

“What it looked like was a small little body hooked to these two grapefruits — her cheeks,” he says.

In a portrait taken when Katie was 2 months old, she is curled up, sleeping, her cheeks nestled in the lace and satin of her pale pink dress.

As Katie has grown, so have her cheeks. Extra skin on top of her cheeks gives them a mottled brown look. Her ears are also deformed and she has some hearing loss.

Her tongue doesn’t fit in her mouth, but ever resourceful, she has still figured out how to suck her two fingers and her thumb.

She doesn’t have seizures anymore, but her muscles tighten up, causing a stiffness that rolls from one side of her petite frame to the other.

When that happens, whichever family member is closest pats her back, rubs her arm or pinches her feet to help her snap out of it.

Despite her disabilities, in many ways Katie is just one more child in a big family. Over Thanksgiving break, the older girls entertained themselves with face painting. Katie got a flower on her cheek, too.

“I’ve learned a lot,” says 13-year-old Megan of having Katie as a sister. “I have learned how to cope with things.

“When we see other people like her, we actually know how they feel.”

The family takes Katie wherever they go, but have never gotten accustomed to the way strangers respond to their little girl.

A few are kind; most stare. Some make comments that hurt.

Danial says when they go out he puts up an imaginary line around him and his family, and hopes no one crosses it.

“Kids are cruel,” he says. “And it ain’t only kids. It’s just hard.

“If you have a kid like that, you have got to get your head straight,” he says.

‘God rides with us’

The family lives outside of Paxton in a mobile home that has been expanded as the family has grown.

Each older child has his or her own room. The beds are neatly made and possessions, most donated by kind strangers, are arranged on dressers and shelves. The three youngest children sleep with Angie and Danial, piling into their king-sized bed.

In addition to the five older kids, Katie has two younger siblings, 3-year-old Kenneth and 1-year-old Emalee.

The older children — who are 8, 11, 12, 13 and 14 — go to schools in Paxton and Laurel Hill. Katie attends preschool at Richbourg School in Crestview.

Neither Angie nor Danial work, although he receives disability. But they don’t ask for help and are almost entirely self-sufficient.

Yesterday, they piled into their 1995 van and drove to Hollywood, Fla., where a surgeon at Memorial Hospital was to perform the first of as many as seven surgeries on Katie.

“They’re going to downsize her cheeks, fix her ear, shorten up her tongue,” Danial says. “Once she gets rid of this weight, she’ll be able to stand better.”

The van that is their sole means of transportation is a “work in progress,” they joke.

After their last trip to South Florida, they learned that the shimmy in the front end meant the tire was about to come off.

“God rides with us, believe me,” Angie says.

The family will stay in one room with two beds at a nearby facility that reaches out to families of hospital patients.

They will be in South Florida for at least two weeks for the first surgery.

Christmas, when it comes, will be modest, with a few gifts for the children from Catholic Charities.

They don’t need much to be happy, except for each other.

“I’m grateful for my family, my kids, no matter how wild they get sometimes,” Angie says, smiling. “I still love them.”

And since making her decision to go forward with her pregnancy five years ago, she has never looked back.

“I’m a firm believer,” she says. “If God gives you something, don’t throw it away.”

WANT TO HELP?

An account has been set up at Regions Bank in the name of Angie Renfroe for the benefit of Katie Renfroe. Catholic Charities is also working with the family. For more information, call 850-737-0864.

Contact Daily News Staff Writer Wendy Victora at 850-315-4478 or wvictora@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @WendyVnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: A Paxton family's love surrounds a special girl