Eglin Federal Credit Union Opens New Freeport Branch
Eglin Federal Credit Union (EFCU) celebrated the grand opening of its new Freeport Branch today with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Located at 16970 U.S. Hwy 331 S., this is EFCU’s first full-service branch and second location in Walton County. The Freeport Branch will provide convenient account access for more than 30,000 members living in Walton County. The DeFuniak Springs ATM/Video Teller Drive-thru located at 677 Highway 90 opened July 18, 2023.
Eglin Federal Credit Union expanded membership opportunities to persons who live, work (or regularly conduct business in), worship, or attend school in, and employees of businesses located within the approved seven census tracts in Walton County. Visit the new Freeport Branch to learn more about membership, or go toeglinfcu.org/join.
Eglin Federal Credit Union President/CEO Jerry Williams said, “This year marks our 70th Anniversary, and we recognize we wouldn’t be here today without the loyal support of our members and community partners. We thank you for the trust that you have placed in our care. It is a responsibility that we do not take for granted. We embrace the credit union philosophy of people helping people, and we believe that when you lead with values and do the right things, that good things happen. We are proud Eglin Federal Credit Union was named the 2023 Large Business of the Year by the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for celebrating our first Walton County Branch. We look forward to serving this community and growing the Credit Union family.”
The Freeport Branch is approximately 4,400 square feet, showcasing a new open branch design that features a member engagement area with interactive touch screen monitors. This is a full-service branch with safe deposit boxes, a Coinstar® machine, night drop, touch screen video tellers and drive-thru ATMs. La Macchia Group is the design/build firm for the new Freeport Branch.
Follow on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn or visit www.eglinfcu.org.
Okaloosa County EMS Achieves Gold Status Recognition for 10th Consecutive Year
Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety – Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division recently received the Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold achievement by the America Heart Association for excellence in delivering rapid care for heart attack and stroke victims. This is the 10th consecutive year Okaloosa County has achieved Gold status.
“This achievement reaffirms the County’s commitment to delivering quality, timely care for stroke and heart attack patients,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon. “I am proud of our EMS professionals who continue to perform every day at the highest level, selflessly delivering care to those in need. We are honored to receive this recognition from the American Heart Association for the dedication of these individuals.”
Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone goes to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to provide resuscitation efforts to someone whose heart has stopped. People who arrive by ambulance may also receive faster treatment at the hospital.
Mission: Lifeline EMS® is the American Heart Association’s national initiative to advance the system of care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive disease states, such as severe heart attacks and strokes. The program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment — starting from when 911 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Optimal care for heart attack and stroke patients takes coordination between the individual prehospital providers and healthcare systems.
For more information, visit heart.org.
Quilts of Valor Recognizes Mid-Bay Rotarian Bert Melnick
During a ceremony held at the Air Force Armament Museum on July 13, Mid-Bay Rotarian Bert Melnick was presented a Quilt of Valor. The presentation was hosted by the Flying Needles Quilt Guild – Niceville/Valparaíso. The quilts are a reminder of America’s appreciation and gratitude. Quilts are stitched with love, prayers and healing thoughts; they are a tangible token of admiration that says, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice.” Bert served over 37 years with tours in the U.S. Marines and the U.S. Navy. As a Navy aviator, one of his tours was in support of the U.S. in its intelligence gathering during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Mid-Bay Rotarians along with Bert’s Rotary Partner Mary Jo, were in the audience in support of Bert. After the ceremony, Mid-Bay Rotarians were treated with a tour of the Museum by Rotarian Tom Johnson. Visit www.QOVF.org.
Grand Knights from Knights of Columbus
Grand Knights from Knights of Columbus Councils 13527 and 7667 in Niceville recently presented a check for $3113.80 to the CEO of Children in Crisis, Inc. The councils combined efforts to conduct a Luau in Niceville with all proceeds going to the local charity that provides homes for children and has been able to keep 300 siblings together.
Niceville Republican Women Federated Presented Two 2024 Scholarships:
Sydney Athearn, a 2024 Rocky Bayou Christian School graduate, received a scholarship from Niceville Republican Women Federated. Sydney read her essay on “Why I Am a Republican” at the June 3 meeting and met members and guests at NRWF. Sydney will be attending Wheaton College. L-R: NRWF President Libby Hill, Diana Gilbert, Sydney Athearn, Lana Wood and Jane Stevens
Rylee Daniels, a 2024 Niceville High School graduate, received a scholarship from Niceville Republican Women Federated. Rylee met members and guests and read her essay on “Why I Am a Republican” at the July 1 meeting. Rylee will be attending Auburn University. L-R: NRWF President Libby Hill, Lourdes Adams, Diana Gilbert, Rylee Daniels, Jane Stevens and Lana Wood
NRWF meets the first Monday of the month at Eglin Golf Clubhouse in Niceville at 5:15 p.m. (Social) and 6 p.m. (Dinner). For more information, contact President Libby Hill: ehilly@cox.net or 850 855-6193.
P.E.O. Chapter DH
Members of P.E.O. Chapter DH, Florida, gathered in early June to celebrate Meya Martin and Sophie Palm, two local young women who have won scholarships sponsored by their organization. P.E.O. They and their mothers were honored at a luncheon held by Chapter DH members on Monday, June 3, at the home of Janice Lacefield in Bluewater Bay.
(Philanthropic Educational Organization) has been supporting women’s education for more than 155 years. Since its inception in 1869, the nonprofit organization has helped more than 125,000 women pursue educational goals by providing nearly $432 million in grants, scholarships, awards and loans. Through membership, the P.E.O. Sisterhood has brought together more than half a million women in the U.S. and Canada who are passionate about helping women advance through education while supporting and motivating them.
Niceville High School graduate Meya Martin won a $2,500 P.E.O. STAR Scholarship for 2024. She was sponsored by Chapter DH and chosen from among thousands of applicants nationwide based on excellence in leadership, activities, community service, academics and her potential for future success. Meya will begin her studies at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, this fall on a pre-med track.
Baker School graduate Sophie Palm was awarded the $1,000 Chapter DH, Florida Memorial Scholarship for 2024. Chapter members from Okaloosa County raised the money for this annual scholarship, which is competed locally and awarded to a young woman from Okaloosa or Walton County based on excellence in leadership, activities, community service, and academics. Sophie will attend Florida State University in the fall to begin her studies toward an eventual law degree.
Chapter DH, Fort Walton Beach, is one of more than 200 P.E.O. chapters in Florida, with members from Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Baker, Crestview, and South Walton County. For more information on the P.E.O. Sisterhood, visit www.peointernational.org.
Baggage Claim Expansion at Destin-FWB Airport
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved a $16.6 million expansion of the Destin-FWB Airport baggage claim area. The project will add approximately 14,724 sq. ft. to the east end of the existing terminal and renovate another 12,732 sq. ft. of existing space. Not only will it improve passenger circulation, but it will also double rental car operations space and relocate airline baggage storage offices to make way for expanding the Emerald Coast Bar & Grill. “We’re excited to get this project going,” Airports Director Tracy Stage said. “With the latest bid coming in very favorable with a qualified contractor, the time is now to begin expanding the east side of the terminal to better facilitate rental car and baggage claim operations.”
It’s Official!
Congratulations to this year’s new Captain Billy Bowlegs LXIX Michael Castleberry and his Queen Zabrina Horne! Each year a new Captain Billy Bowlegs and his queen are selected to sail the Blackhawk and the Krewe into uncharted seas. The new Billy is selected by the current year’s Captain after receiving the secret nominations from a committee of the last seven Billys. The new Billy remains a secret for several months as he prepares for his year and his many decisions; he will choose the colors, and create a logo and theme to represent his vision for the new year.
Teaching Children to Save in Our Community
Eglin Federal Credit Union (EFCU) partnered with Okaloosa Saves and The First Bank for the annual Teach Children to Save campaign April 1 – June 30. Youth were encouraged to set a savings goal and make a deposit into their savings account. Their names were entered into a random drawing for six children to win a $50 deposit into their savings account from Okaloosa Saves. Winners were invited to the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners board meeting on Tuesday, July 16 to receive their certificates and recognition.
This year, there were 106 youth from EFCU and six youth from The First Bank under the age of 18 who participated in the Okaloosa Saves Teach Children to Save campaign with deposits totaling $20,169.64. Since the program began in 2004, 2,398 children made deposits totaling $393,610.
The six winners were Calvin Hopper, Crestview; Keegan Hughes, Miramar Beach (The First Bank), not pictured; Emily Pear Kirkpatrick, Crestview, not pictured; Norrace Lampert, Niceville, Santana Stewart, Freeport and Anakin Tedder, Niceville.
Eglin Federal Credit Union President/CEO Jerry Williams said, “We look forward to offering this youth savings program every year because it is so important to teach children about the importance of saving. Eglin FCU has proudly partnered with Okaloosa Saves for 20 years to help provide financial education to our community, and we plan to continue this effort for years to come.”
Visit Okaloosa Saves on Facebook or https://okaloosasaves.wildapricot.org.
