La Lumière: A Metropolitan Affair - Fundraiser Set for Feb 10 at Grand Boulevard

La Lumière: A Metropolitan Affair  is the upcoming 4th edition of local Hannah Martin’s highly-anticipated annual fundraiser.

This year the event benefits Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA), Special Olympics Florida — Walton County, and Westonwood Ranch. Hannah Martin’s connection with the Special Olympics started long before La Lumière derived, but her help in aiding CAA and Westonwood Ranch is new to this year’s fundraising efforts.

Hannah's annual fundraiser tradition began on her birthday a few years ago and has gotten bigger every year. This year the event is under the stars at Grand Boulevard on Saturday, February 10, 2018, from 6 to 10 p.m. benefits Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, Special Olympics Florida — Walton County, and Westonwood Ranch. 

“I’m very excited to announce our beneficiaries to this year’s event,” says Martin. “When we were introduced to Westonwood Ranch, a new organization in this area, we immediately fell in love with their mission and goals to give back and better our community. Autism is such a prevalent part of the world today that touches so many people.  It is very rare that communities are able to provide such a cultural and progressive atmosphere for individuals with special needs. I am also thrilled to announce I am a new board member for the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County and am proud to have their support to help create these multi-faceted programs. We saw a huge calling to bring these three organizations together to help create a better tomorrow for Walton County and our special needs community.”

As the creative core of Walton County, the Cultural Arts Alliance offers support, connection and access opportunities for all forms of art, every variety of maker, all levels of learners, and especially, art lovers. Through sponsorship, performance, and educational programs, the organization directly connects the people of Walton County with the broader view, the critical exploration, and the answers only the Arts have the power to provide.

Westonwood Ranch is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2017 by the Wood family. Named after their son Weston, who was diagnosed with Autism at the early age of 2, mother, Lindy, noticed a change in her son when he was exposed to nature and animals. Thus, Westonwood Ranch became a unique center for children, just like Weston, to help fill the gap in transition services as young adolescents enter adulthood. Hands on mentoring and specific skill training are used to expand their interests in hopes of providing meaningful pre-vocational training and social opportunities in a safe, nurturing, green farm environment. Westonwood Ranch is currently seeking grant money and donations in hopes of starting construction on the learning facility to be able to open their doors to more than 100 children in late 2018.

The “La Lumière” event series have raised over $120,000 to-date, and Hannah Martin hopes to grow the event to be even bigger than in years past.  

“Through ticket sales, raffle, auction, and other facets of the event, we hope to set the bar even higher than before,” says Martin. “We have amazing charities that we are raising funds for this year, and with the help of our community, I know we can make a huge impact in their programs.”

La Lumière: A Metropolitan Affair will be unlike any of the past fundraising events. For a $200 donation to attend, the metropolitan themed event will include dinner, drinks, and entertainment for all, including roulette, blackjack and craps. Those looking to try their luck can do so by purchasing raffle tickets in exchange for chips. Mr. Big and The Rhythm Sister's will be back on stage along with live performers. Heavy hors d'oeuvres, oysters on the half shell by 30A Oyster, wine, cocktails, spirits and local brews will be available for guests to enjoy. Epic Photo Co.’s interactive photo booths will commemorate this “Metropolitan Affair”.

Guests are highly encouraged to dress in the metropolitan theme. Personal stylist, Amy Giles, of Wardrobe Made Simple is available prior to the event to style guests. 20% of proceeds from styling sessions with Wardrobe Made Simple will the cause. Merry Beth Myrick Designs will also be crafting hand-forged pieces, special to the event, with 25% of proceeds benefitting the three charities.

Tickets are $200 in advance and $250 at the door. For Ticket purchases, sponsorship or for more information, please visit www.hannahmartinsparty.com or call Crystal Smith at (850) 714-4271. To date sponsors include Destin Plastic Surgery, Duckies Shop of Fun, 30AEats, Emerald Coast Magazine, Grand Boulevard, Modus Photography, The Premier Property Group, Proffitt PR, Royal Destinations and Elite Alliance, SoWal.com and VIP Destin Magazine.

About Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County
The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) is a Local Arts Agency that supports the arts through leadership, advocacy, funding, programs and education. The vision of the CAA is to be the catalyst for Walton County's growth as a destination for cultural and artistic excellence through which lives are enriched, economy is stimulated and community is strengthened. The CAA headquarters is the Bayou Arts Center where over 200 art classes are offered every year to adults and children. The CAA produces the 30A Songwriters Festival, Valentine Tour of Homes, ArtsQuest, Seaside Writers Conference, South Walton Fashion Week and the Flutterby Festival. Tens of thousands of dollars are awarded annually to teachers, students, artists and arts organizations through the CAA’s Art For All Program, which is funded through grants and net proceeds from events. To find out more about Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, please visit: www.culturalartsalliance.com

About Special Olympics Florida — Walton County
Special Olympics Florida — Walton County provides year-round sports training and competition to children and adults 8 years of age and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Walton County.  We currently serve over 100 athletes in the County who compete in 11 different sports at the local, area and state level area for each sport. There are over 300 potential athletes in Walton County alone. Florida is the first state and Walton County is one of the first programs to offer Stand Up Paddle as a Special Olympics Sport. All programs are provided at no charge to the athletes or their families.  Your donations cover sports equipment, uniforms, travel and lodging expenses for local, area and state competitions. To find out more, please visit http://specialolympicsflorida.org/walton/.

About Westonwood Ranch
The overall mission of Westonwood Ranch is to fill the gap in transition services as young adolescents enter adulthood. Its central focus is to utilize the medium of agriculture to provide meaningful pre-vocational training, social opportunities for young individuals on the autism spectrum via hands on mentoring and specific skill training in a safe, nurturing, green farm environment. Students experience continuing opportunities to explore and expand their interests through participation in fine arts and crafts, agricultural and equestrian activities, as well as opportunities to integrate with community members through internships, community volunteering and employment. There is also a focus on individual health and well-being which makes our program a truly unique model. To find out more about Westonwood Ranch, please visit: www.westonwood.org