DUNE ALLEN | SANTA ROSA BEACH | BLUE MOUNTAIN | GRAYTON BEACH | WATERCOLOR | SEASIDE | SEAGROVE | WATERSOUND | ALYS BEACH | SEACREST | ROSEMARY BEACH | INLET BEACH PRSRT STD ECRWSS - EDDM ocals U.S. POSTAGE PAID L Santa Rosa Beach, FL get it! PERMIT NO. #11 AUGUST 2020 Postal Customer Local VOL. 5. NO. 3 Saving Grace: A New Hope for Walton Tax Struggling Women Collector Nightmares are not always only in the realm of Announces the unconscious. They are often manifested through Office abuse and addiction. It is overwhelmingly common for people to find themselves Changes going from a bad situation to a worse situation when drugs and other abuses become Due to involved. Those struggling are often left to “figure it out” by Covid-19 family and friends, and, many times, “figuring it out” results Due to the recent increase in in deeper addiction, more COVID-19 cases, beginning Monday abuse and sometimes suicide. July 27, 2020, a facial mask will be Abandonment is a common required to enter all lobby areas of theme for these people, and the Walton County Tax Collector even those who are able to She was held in the grips of into recovery. was her own struggles with Offices in DeFuniak Springs, Freeport pull themselves out of the addiction for many years. Saving Grace Women’s addiction and those who and Santa Rosa Beach. We are depths into a state of recovery This gives Dawn a unique Home will be a place for those helped rescue her. “I know limiting services to Walton County are soon forgotten and left to viewpoint on others who are who desire to develop a new what it did for me, and what residents only during this time. We once again “figure it out.” In struggling in the same arena. life free from the devastation of it will do for others,” she are also allowing only the number of spite of this, there are some Her overcomer’s spirit has any kind of addiction or abuse. commented. Customers inside the office necessary whose love for other people has gifted her with a passion for Its purpose is to provide an What will the women’s to complete their transaction, unless driven them to create a better helping other women gain effective and comprehensive home look like? Dawn wants to the customer needs assistance (i.e. future for those struggling in complete freedom as well. Christian faith-based solution begin with a smaller program, parent with a juvenile, customer addiction. Dawn Siegal is one Dawn feels that one of the best to life-controlling problems. housing between 10 and 15 caregiver, etc.) of these people. ways she can do this is through When asked where her women at any given time. It We encourage customers to utilize Dawn knows firsthand opening a women’s home, inspiration for Saving Grace will be a 12-month faith-based other options to complete their trans- the immense effort it takes to Saving Grace, for those who has come from, Dawn actions which include our Customer recover from a drug addiction. have just begun their journey wholeheartedly believes it SAVING GRACE continued on page 2 TAX COLLECTOR continued on page 2 CLHMS Bobby Johnson Advisor/Partner The Bobby J Team 850.865.7798 Local Knowledge. Global Support. [email protected] FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @BOBBYJ30A INSURED - STATE CERTIFIED CGC 058995 MRSR2471 Page 2 South Walton Life www.southwalton.life August 2020 SAVING GRACE up for an internship program like this would be too many been abuse victims, have been help people in this situation is to continued from page 1 with the women’s home where count. recently incarcerated, and simply become aware of it. Often, they can engage in helping other The thing that Dawn finds struggle with drug addiction. people who are not struggling program. Staff will live in the women succeed with a better life most rewarding about creating They are expected to begin the with addiction and abuse have home as well, in hopes that the as well, or venturing out on their the women’s home is the amount program with the first round of an unintentional unawareness of women will always feel like they own and creating a new life from of transformation that will take women in early 2021. Saving those who are. However, gaining have a support system around there. place in each woman’s life. So Grace partners with another that cognizance and reaching them. The women can expect to Going forward, Dawn said many of these women have been program for men, Project Hope out to those who feel trapped is adhere to a fixed schedule, which that she would like to see Saving broken and beat down since Restoration. Right now, the thing the first step to a changed life. will include time for prayer, Grace expand far beyond just childhood, and the difference that is needed most is funding. There’s always hope that a loved teaching, and engaging in various Northwest Florida. Next steps that can be made by even one They will be holding an annual one can be well and productive, creative outlets. These women would include a center in South person who truly loves them is banquet in conjunction with whether it’s their first time or will have multiple opportunities Florida, then expanding into enormous. There is something Project Hope on Nov. 1, 2020, their hundredth. Change is to fundraise for both their future other states. When asked how incredible that happens when where they hope to raise enough always possible, and Saving and the future of other women far Dawn could see this going, people realize that there is funds to get everything prepared Grace is proving it. in bad situations. After the 12- she commented, “I would love to another way, and that they to open the home, including You can help! Visit Saving month program, these women see it worldwide.” The amount deserve to be happy. staffing costs. Grace at www.facebook.com/ will have the chance to begin of lives that could be changed Saving Grace will focus Dawn believes that the best gracewomenshomeFL or call their life anew, choosing to sign through a worldwide program primarily on women who have thing the community could do to (850) 865-7939. collector.com Many of our ser- nor’s Office. services. Walton County Tax TAX COLLECTOR vices can be completed utilizing We are doing all that we can Collector Rhonda Skipper and continued from page 1 these methods, even from the to protect both our customers staff work to deliver the highest Call Center, Drop Boxes and our comfort of your own home. and our employees during these quality of service with people Web Services at www.waltontax- Our Lobby areas remain uncertain times. It is our goal to who CARE. open at this time to the citi- continue to deliver the highest In 2019, the office was zens of Walton County and we quality of service possible to recognized by Florida Trend will continue to closely monitor the people of Walton County. Magazine as one of the “Top the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Thank you for understanding as 100 Best Companies to Work for Published Monthly through the Center for Disease we face this situation together. in Florida.” Mailed FREE to the Communities Control (CDC), Local Health The Office of Tax Collector of 32459, 32461 and 32413 Department, Board of County Florida Mandates that may be is an independent, constitutional Circulation: 12,500 households Commissioners and any State of put into effect from the Gover- office providing state and local P.O. Box 1424 Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 Editor & Publisher Dave White [email protected] REACH EVERY HOME IN SOUTH WALTON [email protected] Production & Layout CALL 850-399-0228 Dawna Shackley [email protected] Advertising Department 850-399-0228 Advertising Manager Raymond Cyr 850 797-3546 [email protected] 24/7 Access Contributing Writer Personal Training Heather Bennett Rita L. Sherwood Group Fitness • Bootcamp 850-399-0228 Free Weights • Cardio SoWal Life assumes no financial liability for errors or omissions in 4942 US-98 #6 printed advertising and reserves the Santa Rosa Beach right to reject/edit advertising or editorial submissions. 850.586.6600 © Copyright 2017 SoWal Life www.warriorfitness30a.com YOUR PREMIER HOME-WATCH SERVICE Owner-Managed Rental Support and Second Home Concierge! Flat rates, no commission! PRIVATE HOME WATCH & SECOND HOME CONCIERGE We inspect your home inside and out bi-weekly and provide a digital check report with photos while on site. Watch Services • Service Provider Oversight • Handyman & Maintenance • Emergency Services • Supplies, Cleaning & More 850.565.9038 | [email protected] | SowalServices.com August 2020 South Walton Life www.southwalton.life Page 3 Northwest Florida ECCAC Announces 2020/2021 Board of Directors Ballet (NFB) The Emerald Coast Chil- and prevention programs. With dren’s Advocacy Center a Center in Okaloosa County (ECCAC) has a new 2020/2021 and the Pierce Family Center Open for board of directors and officers: in Walton County, they house The Walton County Sherriff representatives from the Florida Community School Office’s (WCSO)Major Audie Department of Children and Rowell is President; Janet Parker Families, Child Protection Team, is Vice President; and Alan Wood State Attorney’s Office, local law Class Registration is Treasurer. Other members in- enforcement, licensed mental Registration is now open adults and children of all skill clude immediate past president, health counselors, and ECCAC’s for NFB’s Community School levels. NFB will follow CDC Bill Fletcher, along with Tammy staff and volunteers. In ECCAC’s classes which begin on August recommendations to ensure a Pierce, Eric Aden, Todd Bier- 20-year history, over 15,000 chil- 3.