VIP Destin at XX LOCATION

36     |    VIPDestinMagazine.com

O

ver 100 people participated 
in the 3rd annual Pelican 
plunge at the Okaloosa 
Island Boardwalk, Tuesday 

January 1. “At 61 degrees the water is 
perfect for a plunge in Florida,” said Mrs. 
Morris from Maine. Long sleeve Pelican 

Plunge t-shirts donated by The Island 
Hotel were given to the first 100 people 
who registered for the plunge. Marketing 
Director at Salt Water Restaurants, Misty 
Rae Ruthrauff welcomed the participants, 
and turned the floor over to Donna Tashik 
from the Emerald Coast Foundation. 
Tashik gave those attending the event an 
overview of the organization, what they 
do for the community and the children 
they serve. All proceeds from this year’s 
event will go to The Emerald Coast 
Foundation, which benefits children’s 
charities, such as The Arc of the Emerald 
Coast, All Sports Association, Children 
in Crisis, Inc. Florida, and the Eleanor J 
Johnson Youth Center.

A post-plunge party took place at The 

Crab Trap with guests receiving free hot 
cocoa, coffee, warm gumbo, lots of raffle 
prizes, and a costume contest. Plungers 
and spectators continued to celebrate New 
Year’s Day with specials at The Boardwalk 
restaurants with very reasonably priced 
drinks and lunch specials.

   VIP Destin at Okaloosa Island Boardwalk

Trevia Buckner, Shelly Miller, Whitney & Michelle Patrick

Angelina Smith, Alisia Mino & Tamara Torres

Sofi a Fouquet & Frank Genco

Candi Henderson & Kaileigh Phillips

Lucy Farnsworth & Marty Foman

Heather Larabee, Tara & Justin Wagner

photos & story by

 

Zhalman Harris

Lisa & Lee Lewis

36 - Event Pelican Plunge.indd   1

1/28/19   4:36 PM