'It's a way to honor veterans'

PACE — The fifth annual Gulf Power Clay Shoot for America’s Heroes received a record number of teams, 41, for its contest supporting veteran nonprofit organizations.

Organizers hope the fundraiser accrued more than the previous year’s profits of $90,000, which Gulf Power splits evenly between the three chosen nonprofits.

For 2017, the beneficiaries Gulf Power selected were Pathways for Change from Pensacola, Third Chance from Fort Walton Beach, and Friends of Clifford Chester Sims State Veterans Nursing Home from Panama City.

“It’s a way to honor veterans,” Gulf Power chairman, president and CEO Stan Connally said. “There has been a terrific response from the community in previous years and once again we have selected three great organizations that provide priceless support to our military veterans. Our employees are proud to bring awareness and funds to these local groups as we prepare to honor those who served on Veterans Day.”

Pathways for Change plans on using the money it receives from the event to fund operations of its Clinton Cox Residence, which opened Nov. 1, according to Residence Director Michelle Desrochers.

“(Pathways’) mission is to eradicate poverty,” Desrochers said. “We wanted to meet the needs of the female veteran population. We did so well with our prison diversion program that we had a house for recovery but it was not needed.”

The Clinton Cox Residence will offer various therapeutic services such as individual and group therapy, art therapy, mentorship and 12-step meetings. Fee-based education services include GED preparation classes, certified nursing assistant classes and information technology classes.

Pathways founder and CEO Connie Bookman said Gulf Power's selecting Pathways was incredible and proceeds will cover a third of the Cox Residence’s operating costs for a year.

“That’s huge for us,” Bookman said. “We’ll be able to breathe easy walking into a new ministry.”

Bookman expects the residence to have its 12 beds full by Christmas.

Third Chance expects to break ground on its housing project, The Lazarus Project, in about a week and possibly be open in nine months, according to Third Chance President Cecil Williams.

Williams is also the reverend of Gregg Chapel African Methodist Church, working in conjunction with Third Chance, Inc., to build an apartment complex of six one-bedroom units for homeless veterans in Fort Walton Beach.

Third Chance will work with various service organizations to provide case management, career assistance and legal aid. Those include 90Works, Suit Up to Move Up, Veterans Court, according to Williams.

Funds from the shoot will all go to building the home, Williams said.

The third organization to receive Gulf Power funds, Friends of the Clifford C. Sims State Veterans Nursing Home, Inc. supports a 120-bed veteran nursing home in Panama City. The Friends board is made up of county veteran services officers, according to Friends treasurer and Bay County Veteran Services Director John Deegins.

“We made the alpha wing for the general (population) and the delta wing for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients,” Deegins said. “Whatever the state doesn’t provide, we do. (Residents) may have needs the VA doesn’t give. (We provide) activities, internet access, iPads. The objective is to make their quality of life better because it’s likely their last home…

"Every penny goes to the vets.”

THE ISSUE: The fifth annual Gulf Power Clay Shoot for America’s Heroes drew a record 41 teams, consisting of four members each.

LOCAL IMPACT: While the final tally will not be known for a few days, past events drew approximately $90,000, which three veterans nonprofit organizations split.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'It's a way to honor veterans'