The Lasting Impact of DCWAF

Behind every glass of wine poured at the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) lies a mission that stretches far beyond the vineyard. For 20 years, DCWAF has leveraged its platform to make a life-changing impact on communities across Northwest Florida. Among its many beneficiaries is Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, an organization dedicated to building not just homes, but brighter futures. Together, their partnership has built 60 homes over the years—each one a foundation for stability, opportunity, and hope.

Teresa Jones, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, reflected on the impact of DCWAF’s contributions. “Six years ago, [DCWAF’s] generosity helped us build a home for a widowed mother and her two daughters,” Jones shared. “Following the tragic loss of her husband, they were living in an efficiency apartment above a garage, struggling to make ends meet.”

This family’s story is a testament to the life-changing power of collaboration. With support from DCWAF, Habitat for Humanity constructed a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home for the family, offering them stability and dignity during a time of unimaginable hardship. The family’s monthly mortgage payments for their new home were actually less than the rent they’d been paying for the garage apartment.

But the impact of a safe, affordable home doesn’t stop at the front door. For this family, the ripple effects have been extraordinary. The oldest daughter, Emily, earned a full scholarship to Samford University, thanks in part to the Ellison McCraney Ingram Family Foundation, a scholarship program that supports teens who have received services from at least one DCWAF benefiting charity. For DCWAF, this achievement is a powerful example of their mission—fostering collaboration that creates pathways to success.

“She’s excelling in her studies,” Jones shared. “It’s stories like these that remind us of the profound impact we can have on families’ lives.”

The partnership between DCWAF and Habitat for Humanity is one rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a safe place to call home. For many families in Walton County, the dream of homeownership might seem unattainable without this kind of support. Through their funding and advocacy, DCWAF not only enables Habitat for Humanity to build houses, but also to create opportunities for financial stability, educational advancement, and generational security.

During the holidays, the impact of DCWAF’s support is felt even more deeply. “Because of [DCWAF’s] commitment, many more families are now able to spend the holidays in their own homes, creating cherished memories,” Jones said. 

As DCWAF celebrates its 20th anniversary, its commitment to making a difference remains stronger than ever. In a world where the need often feels overwhelming, DCWAF is an example of how communities can come together to make a lasting difference. Through partnerships like these, DCWAF and Habitat for Humanity are proving that the greatest things we build aren’t just homes, but hope, opportunity, and the chance for a better tomorrow.

To learn more about DCWAF’s mission, impact, and ways to get involved, visit dcwaf.org.