All Smiles!

First Annual Soirée on the Bay Is a Great Success

By Jordan Staggs | Photography by Hunter Burgtorf

There’s nothing more satisfying for the founders, staff, and volunteers of Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN) than seeing the smile of a happy, healthy child. Thanks to the generous donations made by patrons and sponsors of the inaugural Soirée on the Bay fundraiser, there will be many more smiles to see from patients throughout Okaloosa and Walton counties in Northwest Florida as CVHN raised over $300,000.

Since 2005, this faith-based nonprofit has lent a helping hand to children and families without access to high-quality health services due to the unavailability (or inadequacy) of insurance. CVHN delivers dental and mental health services to school children in both counties. The bulk of its services runs through its Mobile Dental Clinic, a large bus outfitted with state-of-the-art dental care equipment that allows the CVHN doctors and volunteers to visit where patients need them the most. The clinic provides preventative dental care and travels to more than ten local schools and community organizations while serving over 1,000 children each school year. Since its inception in 2008, the nonprofit has helped 11,625 children, performed 66,220 procedures, and provided $3,317,243 worth of free services.

Proceeds from Soirée on the Bay are funding CVHN’s second Mobile Dental Clinic so the organization may expand its reach to even more children in need.

Since 2005, this faith-based nonprofit has lent a helping hand to children and families without access to high-quality health services due to the unavailability of insurance.

“Our first Soirée on the Bay surpassed our expectations,” says CVHN associate executive director Megan Trent. “We were blown away by the support of our donors, patrons, and friends, and it was wonderful to see the community come together to support our mission. The event raised over $300,000 for our new Restorative Mobile Clinic, and we can’t wait to see it in action!”

On March 18 and 19, 2022, the nonprofit hosted what its staff hopes will be the first of many Soirée on the Bay weekends at the stunning Dugas Estate in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. The venue boasts incredible views of the Choctawhatchee Bay. It was donated by the Dugas Family Foundation, helmed by Steve and Lynn Dugas, which focuses on children and youth services, education, environment, natural resources, and human services across the Southeast and beyond.

Friday night’s Porc et Vin wine tasting and live auction was a lively affair despite pouring rains earlier in the day. Music by David Posso, drinks aplenty, and food provided by Café Thirty-A under the careful curation of general manager David Kessler and his team made for a great evening with a cool breeze and the beautiful bay playing backdrop. The live auction included everything from wine and spirits to travel experiences, original artwork, and much more.

On Saturday, the main event kicked off with a bocce tournament on the lawn as David Posso performed once more, and guests sipped mimosas and watched the competition unfold. It was followed by a grand wine and spirits tasting and music headliner, The Tip Tops, with catering once again provided by Café Thirty-A. Much dancing and celebration carried partygoers from day to night, and the firing of the Civil War-era cannon on the estate signified a serene sunset as the fun evening came to a close.

VIE was proud to be a media sponsor for the weekend alongside our 2022 show home developer, Bella Mare Real Estate Holdings. The Heritage – A VIE Legacy Show Home is the first of nine homes in the exclusive gated, non-rental community of Heritage Dunes being developed by Bella Mare Real Estate Holdings. Located in Seagrove Beach, Florida, the homes are designed by Gerald Burwell of Burwell Associates, built by Grand Bay Construction, and listed by La Florida Coastal Properties. “Bella Mare was proud and excited to be part of Soirée on the Bay for CVHN,” says Carl Tricoli, who founded Bella Mare Real Estate Holdings alongside his wife, Tamara. “It was a beautiful inaugural event. We look forward to staying involved with this fantastic community health organization and seeing all the good they will do for children in Walton and Okaloosa counties for years to come.”

Soirée on the Bay 2022 was also generously sponsored by Silver Sands Premium Outlets, A BOHEME Design, Setco Services, Shumaker Advisors, Grand Boulevard Town Center, Pish Posh Patchouli’s, Balcones Distilling, Emerald Coast Wine & Spirits, Hancock Whitney Bank, McNeese Title, The Jewel, Will Burns of Merrill Lynch, and more.

Congratulations to CVHN on a fabulous event, and cheers to many more for a great cause!

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Visit CVHNkids.org to learn more about this incredible nonprofit, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming events.