DINNER at the BEACH

PHOTOS BY SCOTT PITTMAN

Spinnaker Beach Club & Paradise Grill was packed with guests for the annual Dinner at the Beach, one of many local fund-raisers in support of Beach Care Services.

More than 600 attended the event, which raised thousands of dollars through ticket sales, a raffle, and silent auction bidding.

The evening, which featured great food, live music, raffle drawings, and door prizes, was organized by board members Shannon Richmond of Florida Architects and Skip Stoltz of Domino’s Pizza.

“The turnout was way more than we ever could dream of,” Richmond says. “We wanted it to be an event where the entire community could come together no matter who you are. I was overwhelmed by the community support.”

Beach Care Services’ mission is to provide short-term, emergency assistance to people in need who live in Panama City Beach. The volunteer-run organization also refers clients to social service agencies in Bay County in addition to helping with rent payments, utilities, transportation, prescriptions, food, clothing, and employment information as well as trolley passes. Its goal is to serve the working poor, seasonally unemployed, and the homeless and hungry in the beach community.

“It’s locals helping locals,” says volunteer Liz Reedy. “We want to keep people in their homes, and keep them working. This is our busiest time of year.”

Reedy appreciates business owners’ generosity through sponsoring fund-raising events. For information on Beach Care Services and how you can help, go to beachcareservices.org.