Children’s Home Society of Florida’s annual Soundside Splendor fundraiser returned to the Portofino Island Resort on Pensacola Beach on Sunday to raise a record $350,000 for children and families throughout Pensacola and the Panhandle.
More than 400 community members and child advocates joined Honorary Event Chairs Jim and Ann Neal to help raise funds and awareness for the needs of local children and families.
“The overwhelming support from our community means more local children and families will have access to the services they need like mental health counseling, early childhood programs that help little ones prepare for kindergarten, housing, job and educational opportunities for our vulnerable homeless youth and so much more,” said CHS Regional Executive Director Lindsey Cannon. “This was our first event since the pandemic started and the community showed up in every way to show their support.”
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CHS serves families in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties.
With the generosity, time, and talent of local chefs, businesses and community leaders, attendees, volunteers and auction donors, this year’s sold out event was a record-breaker for the organization. Co-chairs for the event included members of the CHS Board of Directors Gary Michaels, Abbie Offerdahl and Beverly Pica.
“We were thrilled to be together this year and sincerely appreciate CHS’ dedicated supporters who committed to making this year a success and showing up for a record-breaking turnout,” said Michaels. “We have amazing sponsors, chefs, board members and Portofino’s team who truly took it to a new level this year fundraising on behalf of this amazing organization.”
Last year, more than 11,000 children and their families in the community received care from services provided by Children’s Home Society of Florida, including thousands of hours of therapy sessions, countless breakthroughs and shining moments of hope that build the foundation for a stronger tomorrow.
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Throughout Pensacola and the Panhandle, CHS delivers innovative solutions in trauma-informed mental health counseling, Early Childhood Services, Mentoring, Youth Outreach and Job Training and Community Partnership Schools including C.A. Weis Elementary, A Community Partnership School and the Social Services Navigators.
On the front lines since 1902, Children’s Home Society of Florida is the oldest and largest statewide organization devoted to helping children and families. Children’s Home Society of Florida serves more than 50,000 children and family members throughout the state each year. More: www.chsfl.org.
To learn more about Children’s Home Society of Florida and to provide additional support for this initiative, visit chsfl.org/donate or reach out to Leah Harrison at (850) 324-4249.