Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast Deliver Technology, Mentorship — and a Call to Community Support
For families across Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso, access to opportunity increasingly depends on access to technology — and recently, hundreds of area children took a major step forward.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast marked a significant milestone with the distribution of 250 refurbished laptops to club members and families across Escambia, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
The two-day initiative was led in partnership with Derrick Brooks Charities, AT&T, and Compudopt. A total of 125 laptops were distributed at the Fort Walton Beach club location and another 125 in Pensacola, with recipients identified through local clubs based on need.
“Tonight, you could see what opportunity looks like on a child’s face,” said Shervin Rassa, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. “For many of our club kids, this is the first laptop that’s truly theirs — not one borrowed from a school, library or relative. From the earliest grades through high school, a device at home is now essential. Thanks to Derrick Brooks Charities, AT&T, and Compudopt, we’re closing a gap we all saw so clearly during COVID and opening doors for families across the Emerald Coast.”
Eligible households also qualified for up to one year of AT&T Fiber internet at no cost through a philanthropic program administered by Compudopt, helping ensure students not only receive devices but can fully use them for schoolwork, research and safe online learning.
Beyond Devices: Building Futures Through Mentorship
While the laptop initiative addresses an immediate and critical need, it reflects the broader mission at work every day inside Boys & Girls Club facilities serving Okaloosa County families.
That mission was highlighted in 2024 during the grand reopening of the Jacobe Turner Teen Center in Fort Walton Beach, a space many families rely on for after-school programming, mentorship and enrichment opportunities for teens.
The center honors the legacy of Jacobe Turner, a longtime club member and the organization’s 2019 Youth of the Year who tragically lost his life in 2020. His name now represents a renewed commitment to serving teens at a pivotal stage of life.
Inside the upgraded facility, youth participate in programs such as Passport to Manhood, Smart Girls, robotics, and career readiness — gaining skills that range from teamwork and leadership to budgeting, interviewing and public speaking. Conversations with students reveal confidence, maturity and optimism about their futures.
“I am a firm believer that our magic ingredient is the informal mentorship young people get from dynamic and caring adults,” Rassa said. “That’s what makes our clubs more than just a place to go after school — it’s where young people discover who they can become.”
The renovation and modernization of the teen center were made possible through generous support from Florida Power & Light and the All Sports Association, Inc., allowing the organization to better serve teens from Niceville, Valparaiso and surrounding communities.
A Fundraiser with Flavor and Purpose
Sustaining and expanding these programs requires ongoing community support, and one of the most anticipated annual, fundraising events of the year is happening soon.
The 7th Annual Shrimp & Grits Festival will take place Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village. The event brings together local restaurants, live entertainment and community supporters for an evening benefiting Boys & Girls Club programs throughout the region — including those serving Okaloosa County families.
Attendees will enjoy unlimited shrimp and grits tastings as area chefs compete for the title of Best Shrimp & Grits on the Emerald Coast, along with craft beverages and live music. This year’s festival will feature a performance by rising country artist Erin Kinsey, adding a new level of excitement to the event.
“Every year, the Shrimp & Grits Festival grows in impact,” Rassa said. “This year’s move to the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village and the addition of Erin Kinsey mark an exciting new chapter. Every ticket purchased directly supports the futures of the thousands of club kids we serve across the region.”
General admission tickets are $100, with VIP tickets available for $175, including early entry, exclusive culinary experiences, access to a private lounge and premium concert seating. Proceeds support Boys & Girls Club programs in Pensacola, Crestview, South Walton, DeFuniak Springs, Destin and Fort Walton Beach.
If You Go:
7th Annual Shrimp & Grits Festival
Benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
Date: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026
Time: 4–7:30 p.m.
Location: Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village
4323 Commons Drive W, Destin
What to Expect:
Unlimited shrimp and grits tastings from local restaurants, craft beer and cocktail samples, live entertainment, and a headline performance by Erin Kinsey as area chefs compete for Best Shrimp & Grits on the Emerald Coast.
Tickets:
- General Admission: $100 (includes unlimited food samples and drink tickets)
- VIP: $175 (includes early entry from 3–4 p.m., VIP lounge with private bar, exclusive culinary experiences, and VIP concert seating)
Tickets are subject to availability. All sales are final. The event is rain or shine.
Purchase Tickets:
zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/7th-annual-shrimp-and-grits-festival
Sponsorships & Restaurant Participation:
Email cmayes@bgcec.com
