Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN) is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has expanded with the addition of two new members, unanimously voted onto the board during the February Board meeting.  “The Board of Directors is essential to the smooth running of the organization, and its participants must be 100% dedicated to our mission,” stated Alice Stapleton, Executive Director.  “Both Cindy McBrayer and Melissa Wheeler are leaders in our community, and the children that we represent will be better served because of their willingness to give their time to further our mission,” Stapleton went on to say. 

Cindy McBrayer was born in Houston, Texas and is a graduate of Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia, where she received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration.  She spent many years in the employ of Mohawk Carpets, and also owned a paint-your-own-pottery studio specializing in children’s projects.  After she relocated with her family to the Emerald Coast, she began operating an in-home daycare and also now serves as support staff at Van R. Bulter Elementary School.  McBrayer has three young children, Blayze, Bryce, and Braden, and is married to Ronnie, pastor of A Simple Faith church in Seagrove Beach. 

Also joining CVHN is Melissa Wheeler. Wheeler relocated to the beautiful beaches of Walton County in 2003 after vacationing here all of her life.  She is a Marketing and Communications professional who brings with her over twelve years of public and community relations experience spanning both the public and private sector.  Melissa received her bachelor’s degree in Marketing along with her Master’s in Public Administration from Valdosta State University.  She is a graduate of Leadership Walton and a founding member of the BUILD Council, a group working to create a community-wide mentoring program for young professionals in Northwest Florida.  Melissa became involved with CVHN in 2008 as a volunteer and is now honored to further her service as a Board member.  She is currently chairing the Public Relations task force for this year’s Cottages for Kids event to be held in Rosemary Beach during the month of May 

March 1, 2010 – Santa Rosa Beach, Florida – For five years the Children’s Volunteer Health Network has operated from borrowed office spaces that were charitably donated.  “During CVHN’s first two years, the organization was managed from the founder’s home office.  Eventually we needed a space that would accommodate several employees and volunteers, and that is when Byron stepped in,” said Alice Stapleton, Executive Director.  Byron Chism, founder of Bad Byron’s Specialty Food Products, offered office space at no cost to the organization for the past three years.  Yet, with the community’s increasing need for CVHN’s services, the organization quickly outgrew its donated space.    So, throughout 2009, the Board of Directors committed themselves to finding a home that CVHN could call its own.  “We are thrilled with our new space!  We wouldn’t be here though if it wasn’t for our committed donors and Board of Directors,” Stapleton went on to say.  The building, located at 82 Lynn Drive in Santa Rosa Beach is part of the Santa Rosa Square office complex.  Just off of East Highway 98, the space was purchased by the organization in October.  The space is pleasant and functional, able to accommodate four offices, a storage room, a small kitchen, and a conference room for Board and other meetings.  CVHN also purchased the unit next door, which is currently occupied by Shelter House, Inc., the domestic violence center that serves Walton and Okaloosa counties.  The founder of CVHN, Tricia Northcutt also commented on the organization’s recent acquisition: “We are only just beginning to combat the health care crisis for the many uninsured and underinsured kids in Okaloosa and Walton counties. The need is growing like kudzu. This building is a testament of faith and love in action, and we are grateful to our supporters.”  CVHN was pleased to have both The Walton Area Chamber of Commerce and The Destin Area Chamber of Commerce present as they held their official ribbon cutting and open house.  CVHN is currently undergoing a strategic planning process that will help it to formalize a plan for the next several years, in which the new buildings will be purposed for the ongoing service to kids and families in the area.  “The support we receive from the community is overwhelming, and its generosity never ceases to amaze me,” Stapleton said as she sat down in her office and looked out her window.  “It is a relief to know that CVHN has a place to grow and thrive, right along with the kids we serve.  Now, that’s a great feeling.”

About CVHN – Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Inc., a faith based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, seeks to enhance the lives of uninsured and underinsured children in Walton and Okaloosa Counties by facilitating access to medical, dental and mental health care.  The organization was founded in 2005 and will celebrate its 5^th birthday on April 22^nd.  Since 2005 the agency has scheduled more than 2000 free appointments for children in need of health services through its network of more than 90 professional healthcare providers.  The work of CVHN’s Mobile Dental Clinic is accomplished in part through grants from The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida.  The Just for Grins Mobile Dental Clinic has cleaned the teeth of more than 1000 children since September of 2008.

For more information about CVHN, please visit www.cvhnkids.org or call 850-622-3200.

Santa Rosa Beach, Florida – (October 30, 2009) – Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN) will host its fifth annual Hurricane Party on Friday, November 13, from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. The bay-front party will be held at “Bentley’s on the Bay,” and feature the rootsy, funky, jazzy, Latin dance music of Jose Conde (www.olafresca.com).

CVHN is a local faith-based non-profit organization that provides free medical, dental and mental health care for uninsured and underinsured children in Okaloosa and Walton counties.

“We are changing the Hurricane Party up this year with an old style Havana Cuban theme,” said CVHN board member Reynolds Henderson. “This is going to be a very unique music experience for the people of South Walton, and the bay-front venue at Bentley’s is just perfect for this kind of party.”

Jose Conde, of the band Ola Fresca, is well known throughout the Latin community. He is traveling to South Walton from Brooklyn, N.Y. and will be singing in a trio with two other musicians from New Orleans, La.

Blackjack tables will be there to help raise money for charity, and both a live and silent auction will feature prizes donated by local businesses and private supporters. Party tickets are $50 in advance and may be purchased now by calling 850-622-3200 or online at www.cvhnkids.org. Tickets will cost $65 at the door. Party attire is resort casual. All proceeds will benefit deserving children in Walton and Okaloosa Counties.

“These fundraisers, while a lot of fun, serve to fund many CVHN programs, including the Mobile Dental Clinic and oral healthcare education,” said Tricia Northcutt, CVHN’s Founder. “We are truly a grassroots organization and depend on our wonderful community for support. Since 2005, more than 700 kids have been helped with 2,200 appointments and 23 medically needed sets of braces!”

For more information about CVHN’s Hurricane Party, please call 850-622-3200, email admin@cvhnkids.org or visit www.cvhnkids.org.

ABOUT CHILDREN’S VOLUNTEER HEALTH NETWORK (CVHN)

Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Inc., HEALTHY HAPPY KIDS, is a faith-based 501(c)3 organization established in 2005 to enhance the lives of uninsured and underinsured school-aged children by facilitating free, immediate access to medical, dental and mental health care. For more information please visit www.cvhnkids.org.

For the 2009 year, CVHN, a facilitator of free immediate healthcare for children in need, decided to add a doggie spin to its very successful “Cottages for Kids.”  The “Canines” version of the event features doghouses built to the highest quality standards, all with themes and names like “Bow-Wow Bungalow” and “Paw Watch.”  Here you’ll see cedar-shake mutt mansions and stuccoed pooch palaces.  If you love your dog, then don’t miss out! Beginning on September 18 at 10 a.m., the doghouses will be on display in Baytowne Wharf, and can be purchased on-site.  Raffle tickets will also be available for purchase, and one lucky dog will win a fabulous custom home for their favorite Fido!  All proceeds from the event go to fund CVHN’s programs that provide children with the medical, dental, and mental healthcare they need.  But this and other CVHN events could not be possible without community support.  “We need lots of dedicated volunteers to pull off this type of event,” says Kazek.  “We couldn’t do it without the help of those who care about healthy kids in Walton and Okaloosa Counties.”  Like CVHN found a fit for Kazek, its experienced staff and friendly volunteers are committed to building on the talents of those interested in supporting the organization’s mission.  “Cottages for Canines” is no exception, and interested members of the community are encouraged to contact CVHN to find out about volunteer opportunities, events, and fundraisers.  Visit www.cvhnkids.org to find out how you can get involved! 

“Paw Watch” by Dixon Kazek Construction                    “Beat The Heat” Jeff Burns Trim Carpentry

Citgo’s Fueling Good Interview with Jane and Tricia

30A Television filmed some GREAT footage of the presentation!  http://30atelevision.com/index.php

This week long event will feature doggie dream houses designed by artists, architects and creative locals who love animals and want to support a good cause. The creative houses, built especially for the fuzziest member of the family, will be on display all week with “Buy it Now” pricing in the Village.  The event culminates the evening of the 27^th with a live auction of the dog houses remaining.

 “We are very excited to be holding Cottages for Canines at the Village” states Jon Kazek, Chairman of the event, “For the past few years one of CVHN’s premier fundraising events has been Cottages for Kids, which has taken place in November. This year, Cottages for Kids will be held in May 2010.”

“We still have openings for people to build doghouses,” says Susan Breeden, co-chair of Cottages for Canines. “Our sponsorship levels for Cottages for Canines are very affordable, ranging from $50 (Puppy Patron) to $500 (Top Dog).”

In addition, the Ultimate Air Dog Southern Championship will be held during the last weekend of Cottages for Canines. Ultimate Air Dogs is one of the premier dock jumping organizations in the country that showcases a variety of jumps and demonstrations. Dogs run down the dock and splash into the lagoon while performing a number of jumps. Long distance jumping is the main feature of the event.

All proceeds from Cottages for Canines benefit the Children’s Volunteer Health Network. Builder and Sponsorship information can be obtained from the CVHN website at www.cvhnkids.org or by calling CVHN directly at 850.622.3200.

CVHN is a faith-based, 501(c)3 organization that seeks to enhance the lives of uninsured and underinsured school aged children by facilitating free immediate access to medical, dental and mental health care.  To learn more about CVHN or to volunteer, visit the CVHN website at www.cvhnkids.org.