August 24, 2009 – Santa Rosa Beach, Florida – John Kazek and the folks at Children’s Volunteer Health Network aren’t taking any time to lazily sip lemonade in the shade of any palm tree this September!  Instead Kazek, the chairman for the “Cottages for Canines” event, to be held in Baytowne Wharf in conjunction with the Ultimate Airdog Southern Championship, September 18-27, is busy with his all-volunteer team of contractors building “doggie dreamhouses” that will be sold and auctioned at the week-long festival.  “I’ve been involved with CVHN for some time now, and helping the kids is very fulfilling.  I build homes for a living, so when we started the ‘Cottages’ fundraisers, it just seemed like a natural fit for me.”  Kazek, like many of the individuals working with CVHN, joined the organization as a volunteer during the 2007 and 2008 “Cottages for Kids” fundraisers in Rosemary Beach.  After building children’s playhouses for this annual event, he found joining the Board of Directors was the next step.

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Santa Rosa Beach, Florida – August 20, 2009 –  Children’s Volunteer Health Network is diligently preparing for a very busy season of providing immediate free access to uninsured and underinsured children in Walton and Okaloosa Counties.  With several exciting events that have recently taken place within the organization, headquartered in Santa Rosa Beach, CVHN is on the move! 
 
The “Just for Grins” Mobile Dental Clinic (MCD) is preparing to take to the roads of Walton County, and will be traveling to all seven (7) elementary schools during the 2009-2010 school year.  “The MDC served 936 children last year, each without access to traditional dental care.  CVHN anticipates that we’ll serve even more children during the school year that begins next week.  Because of the current state of the economy and other contributing factors, we believe that many more children may now be on free and reduced lunch, which is the way we identify children in need,”  stated CVHN’s Client Care Coordinator, Tess McLaughlin.  
 
Aboard the big blue bus, each child participating in the program receives an exam, x-rays, professional teeth cleaning, fluoride treatment and sealants when necessary.  They are each given a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss as well as individual oral hygiene instruction.  Through a $99,000 grant from The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, CVHN will be staffing a part-time dentist aboard the bus this school year, as it begins its new Restorative Care Program.  Children that are in need of more critical care may receive this care aboard the MDC in addition to regular cleanings and education.  McLaughlin went on to say, “We know that if we start talking to these kids about oral hygiene now, they are less likely to have future dental problems.  Kids that were once afraid of the dentist now love it, because the ‘Just for Grins’ MDC is a fun place to become healthier!” 
 
CVHN and The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida held a check presentation on Thursday, August 13th at ResortResale on Highway 98 in Santa Rosa Beach.  The “Just for Grins” MDC was there, and donors and friends of CVHN had an opportunity to take tours while listening to the musical talents of Sawmill Gravy and the Biscuits.  CVHN is seeking volunteers to help operate the program throughout the school year.  If interested in working with children aboard the Mobile Dental Clinic bus, please call 850-622-3200 or visit www.cvhnkids.org.  Opportunities for volunteerism with CVHN are available throughout Walton and Okaloosa Counties. 

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Children’s Volunteer Health Network’s founder Tricia Carlisle Northcutt and founding board member Jane Bahr talk about all the good the $2,500 Fueling Good Gas Card will do for CVHN’s mission!

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Tricia Carlisle-Northcutt is interviewed by 30A Television.  They discuss how CVHN was started as well as what the Mobile Dental Clinic was up to!  Tricia’s interview with 30A Television