H

ands Across the Sand marked it’s 9th year on May 18. A now world-wide 
event, thanks to Dave Rauschkolb founder of this event, who organized 
joining of hands as a call for an end to offshore oil drilling. In 2009, Dave 
watched as the drilling in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama came closer 

to Destin, and a bill here in Florida that could’ve brought it within 10 miles of these 
beaches. It became a real possibility that oil riggs could be placed in this tourism town. 
Wanting to do something to “draw a line in the sand,” that visual image sparked the 
joining of hands, which is now spread to over 80 beaches, in 50 states, and over 10,000 
people. 

Vaughn Greene with the Walton County Democratic Women’s club organized this 

year’s event in Inlet Beach, expressing her passion for this cause. While heading down 
the beach, many bystanders ended up joining in after hearing what it was for. The hope is 
for a permanent ban on offshore drilling, along with bringing awareness of pollution and 
steering away from dependence on oil. Joining hands and looking out into the beautiful 
Gulf while speaking about the cause is a great way to get close and personal with what 
could happen if changes were to occur. 

photos & story by

Shanna Magnuson

   VIP Destin at Inlet Beach Public Access 

Hands Across  th e Sand

Hands Across  th e Sand

2019

46     |    VIPDestinMagazine.com

Chris Forman & Emily Ellis

Laurie Reichenbach, Joanne Boyne & Lynda McMahan

Mike Sturdivant & Michel Spender 

Frank & Vaughn Greene

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5/30/19   12:57 PM