Our mission is to empower veterans of Northwest Florida through a holistic program of community  collaboration designed to connect veterans and their families to the local community through benefits, services, education, jobs, and housing.

Veteran Community By The Numbers:  

• 754,000 Population- First Congressional District
• 106,680 Veteran Population (14%-- twice the national average!)
• 16,823 Post-911 Veterans (17%)

Goal: Engage > 2,000 Veterans annually, assess needs and provide support using our community partnerships

Between 2011 and 2014, as America drew down from two wars, the U.S. Military began a massive drawdown and a large population of veterans were released from active duty. Many veterans needed assistance transitioning. Communities had populated with numerous niche service organizations with good will and a desire to assist, but veterans didn’t know how to find them, or who provided what services. Despite the numerous organizations, there were still many gaps remaining in coverage. The Panhandle Warrior Partnership is designed to connect veterans to services, and create solutions where no services exist, using a model of community integration and collaboration.

We recognize that each veteran is a unique individual. A one-size- fits-all approach does not meet all veterans’ needs. We believe each veteran deserves and requires individual attention to help realize his or her aspirations.

Our holistic service model addresses the main components needed for a well-rounded, healthy life. The model supports each veteran’s quest to reach personal fulfillment and satisfaction in his or her own individual way.

The Model:

• Connect
• Educate
• Advocate
• Collaborate

Step 1: Connect

 Outreach is critical. And we believe the only way to serve veterans is building individual relationships with each one.Connecting with and knowing veterans: where they live, work and what their challenges and goals are.

Step 2: Educate

 Our Advocates educate veterans about resources available to them and educate the community about the value of its veterans.

Step 3: Advocate

We advocate for veterans when obstacles occur through our vast network of expertise. We promote changes to policies and systems when needed. We also advocate for their communities to ensure an environment supportive of veterans.

Step 4: Collaborate

 As a leader in the community, instead of competing with other service organizations, we collaborate with them, bringing together all potential resources for veterans in order to provide a comprehensive and holistic empowerment plan.

The Impact

Our five advocates and two case coordinators cover the six counties of Florida’s 1 st Congressional District. By teaming with over 160 local service partners, we are actively engaging the 106,680 local veterans from all service eras. Our team tracks all services offered and the impact made on all veterans they assist. 

• Over 5,000 Relationships with active duty veterans
• 50+ housed
• 945 Enrolled for education 
• 495 Employed
• 1,265 Enrolled in VA Healthcare

How We’re Funded

• Grants
• Corporate Sponsors
• Fundraisers
• Individual Donors

Ways You Can Help

• Referrals (Get the word out!)
• Network (Help us get in touch with new partners)
• Volunteer (Your time is a valuable asset)
• Donate
• Sponsor
• Throw a Fundraiser

Community Leadership & Initiatives

• MyVA Community Veterans Engagement Board
• Vet Court
• Warriors Working
• Warrior Serve
• Sub-grantees

Our National Partners 
In just 18 months we have formed partnerships that will impact over 5,000 veterans. Think how many more veterans and communities can be impacted with additional support for our work.

www.panhandlewarriors.org

850-476- 0662

Vic Bindi introduced daughter, Tori Bindi, as the guest speaker.
She will be going to University of Florida. She will be leaving early to start training during the summer for the swim team(?) She will be majoring in Bio Chemistry and wants to become a surgeon and return to Gulf Breeze.

She is with the Computer Program “take stock in children? For 6-9th grade students. They will be having a banquet tomorrow May 25th to award 25 seniors full scholarships and giving 24 computers as they lack the funds for the 25th student. A collection was taken and more than enough funds were collected to now award all students a computer.

During Tori’s 4 years of high school she helped raise $130,000 for this program that helps students in Santa Rosa and Escambia County.

During the meeting, Rotarians contributed $1500.00 to purchase the 25th laptop. 

“I don't think it had ever occurred to me that man's supremacy is not primarily due to his brain, as most of the books would have one think.  It is due to the brain's capacity to make use of the information conveyed to it by a narrow band of visible light rays. His civilization, all that he had achieved or might achieve, hung upon his ability to perceive that range of vibrations from red to violet.  Without that, he was lost.” 

                                                                ― John Wyndham, The Day of the Triffids
 
Sight is a gift and a sense that we cannot imagine living without. How can we, each of us, imagine comporting our daily activities without our vision? It is with that in mind that one can truly say the economic impact of healthy eyes in our community is literally innumerable and immeasurable. 

Dr. George T. “Tip” McKnight not only serves our area by aiding in our eye health as a Doctor of Opthamology ,  but expounds his contributions greatly through donations of his time, gifts of knowledge, and generous financial donations  (through his business, his family trust and his personal income).

McKnight has practiced in Pensacola since 1992, joining Dr. William Henson’s practice which has served Pensacola for 35 years. McKnight credits Henson’s significant foundational spiritual and ethical standards for the extremely high level of employee benefits and opportunities that continue until today. In the Rotary spirit of Fairness, Truth and Building good will, the practice long offered full medical and retirement benefits before Federal mandates began requiring them. And numerous long-time employees currently serving up to 30 years in loyalty bears out their employment practices honor Rotary’s Fairness to all concerned focus.  Four doctors of Opthamology and four Optometrists serve together at Center for Sight, lead by senior principals Dr. McKnight and Dr. Bob Harbour.

“We do not identify ourselves as an eye emergency room on any level,” McKnight says, “but there is no way we turn emergencies away.  And at least three days a week we get to our office and find an individual needing emergency treatment and care is waiting in the parking lot. Most of them are not insured. We do not turn them away.”
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And the pro-bono work only begins there!  The Lions Club sends two SCHEDULED patients per doctor every month for indigent care or care for the needy. Emergency calls to the Emergency Rooms in the area require follow up, too, and local clergy and social workers know that they will find tender hearts guiding highly skilled hands in Dr. Tip McKnight’s office.

Dr. McKnight serves as a board member of Camp Seale-Harris, a long-running juvenile diabetes camp. And he also participates hands-on in the summer camps. A Type I diabetic himself, Dr. McKnight knows that the fun the mostly lower income kids have at camp pales in comparison to the potentially life-saving healthy living practices and tips that infuse their experience.

Dr. McKnight also serves on the clinical faculty of Florida State University Medical School, and welcomes medical students as they rotate their potential specialties. He is also starting to accept rotating students from Nova Southeastern Medical School.

“Many of the students do not intend to specialize in optometry or opthamology,” he explains. “But if they are ever going serve in emergency care, or general or primary care practice, they know the eye is a unique challenge. We know it helps them perform as better physicians over all when they’ve done a rotation with us.”
It is frequently said that a truly ethical and inspiration leader will find themselves followed by and reflected in those around them. Is there a harder group to impress than one’s own family – or even worse, one’s children?  Dr. McKnight’s two daughters must like who they see, as his eldest is studying premed at Southern Methodist, and his youngest daughter is currently weighing her acceptance to the FSU Honors Medical Scholars Program. 
They’ve had many chances to observe heir father in work, and also experience his commitment to annual week-long mission trips to Beliz.

“Forget the romantic sounding destination,” McKnight says quietly, “my staff amazes me year after year, vying for the opportunity to serve a mostly desperately needy population. We perform 100 surgeries, fit and grant 200 pairs of glasses and  see over 500 patients total each trip. Their commitment to serve and make a difference is beautiful.”

There is great truth in John Wyndham’s assertion in the quote above that man’s very “civilization, all that he had achieved or might achieve” hung upon his ability to see.  It seems to follow that we can all agree that the medical services alone provided by Dr. McKnight are Beneficial to all concerned.  Add to that the immense generosity of heart and sprit and resources, and I know you will agree that Dr. Tip McKnight exhibits the highest possible ethics in business and maintains standards completely consistent with our Four Way Test as Rotarians.
 
Without that, we could be “lost.” 

​"The Master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence in whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he is always doing both." 
-Zen Philosophy (found in _Head to Head_, L. Thurrow)
 
It is unlikely that Ace Cannon, owner of Cannon Automotives in Gulf Breeze, has spent much time devouring Chinese Philosophy. But the quote above is a true reflection of his constant, committed and ethical pursuit of excellence in mechanical repairs and maintenance for his family, friends and neighbors - all customers.  A job and a joy that has filled the past 40-plus years as his avocation and his vocation as a mechanic.
“There have been many times when I’ve taken Ace my old truck and he has driven it a few days, tinkered and solved whatever problem it was having,” says Hood Powell. “And that’s after all the advanced computers in the area and at the dealership could not. And he doesn’t charge exorbitant fees for the above-and-beyond work he does. He’s always fair, honest, and reasonable.“
​
His thriving and profitable business does not suffer from the many times he affords complimentary “tweaks” when he feels the work was not time consuming or difficult enough to charge. The buzz among his clients is most favorable – you pay fair prices for his excellent service, and it’s always worth what he charges when he hands you a bill. And that kind of service is beneficial to all concerned; his customers do not unnecessarily pay for services that end up to be minor, and his business continues to thrive since 1977 due to customer loyalty and confidence. 
 
Being truthful and  “Fair to all Concerned” comes naturally to affable Ace Cannon, and his  20 years of perfect attendance at Rotary probably helped drill those very Four Way Test attributes into his daily life. And his ethical practice of his trade has borne many economic fruits – his parking lot on Highway 98 stays packed with cars awaiting his attention.  If you drop by the office, you’ll  find him  literally up to his elbows in a car, and he always greets you with a smile on his face.  He loves hunting down elusive mechanical  problems, solving them and serving his clients – all while he builds good will and better friendships!
 
It’s fair to say that most people don’t associate the words “fair, reasonable and excellence” with car repair services – one of the most anxiety-ridden transactions most of us ever undertake.
Cannon adheres to the high ethical standards of honesty, integrity and consistency in dealing with his customers and employees, and many times can actually extend the life of an automobile for a family with his dedicated and creative approach to auto repair and maintenance.  The positive economic enhancement of such savings for his clients CANNOT be overstated.  In America, 76 percent of workers depend upon their automobiles to get to and from their workplace,  so having a dependable vehicle is paramount.
 
Another unique and powerful tool Ace Cannon employs in his business and his personal service life is his commitment to mentor.  The Ancient business practices of leading and guiding apprentices have often  fallen by the way side with modern concerns of  liability, lack of principal business owner productivity and distractions. Yet, Ace Cannon has not only mentored multiple mechanics over the year, he also served as  a volunteer scout leader for years through cub scouts and boy scouts, lending his unique skill set to many.   His joy in serving others and sharing his unique knowledge and participation in activities that are beneficial to the community with no evident economic benefits to his business are stellar examples of his ethical business practice.
 
“"I have worked as a leader and scoutmaster in Boy Scouts for many years, and I have come to appreciate the power of mentorship and inspirational leading that some in our community provide to young men,” praises Scott Musmansky.  “It can literally clarify a life path, and reveal potential professions. When young Westin Demotts was able to work under Ace Cannon's skilled direction at Cannon Automotive, I saw him bloom into a man with greatly increased confidence and self understanding.”
Ace avoids the spotlight, and prefers hunting on weekends with his son and his closest friends, so this is a surprise nomination.  When Ace’s wife, Kathy, was asked who mentored or inspired Ace to develop his incredible mechanical and “tinkering” skills at a very young age, she replied with a wry grin,  “I really do not know;  he was raised by his grandmother.”
It is not a stretch for this nominator to imagine Ace, loaded with youthful enthusiasm and his characteristic desire to serve and help others, growing in his skills most likely daily – responding to his grandmother’s pleas for help.
“Ace, can you come fix this?” must  have been a frequent request that echoed through their Pensacola home at a time before computer boards. Ace developed his skills in a time  when mechanical motors and most household  objects would be easily disassembled, deciphered and repaired.
 
And it’s easy to imagine Ace being more than willing to help!

Anita Marie intoduced the Teacher of the Year - 

Teacher of the Year is very near and dear to my heart, but before I fill you in on who this year’s nominee is, I’d like to recognize a couple of her biggest supporters….1st, the superintendent of the greatest county in the state of Florida, Mr. Tim Rosdick…..and I’d also like to recognize the best new principal in Santa Rosa County from our very own Gulf Breeze High School, Mr. Danny Brothers….
There is so much that you both do that is visible, but there is far more that is unseen. Thank you both for all that you do for our kiddos as well as for our community!
I’d be remiss today, if I didn’t brag on Santa Rosa County’s Education Foundation as well. Our foundation puts 1000s of $$ into the teachers and students hands every year. They are also responsible for the TOY program for our county. The process begins when each school elects a TOY who is nominated and voted on by their peers. These teachers then all compete for Santa Rosa County Teacher of the Year. The Ed Foundation TOY Committee goes into full swing from there. The selection committee is made up of business leaders, principals, the previous SR County TOY,
community members, parents, and *some of our rotary’s very own!
It is a very lengthy and time consuming process which includes in-depth question and answer, essays, interviews and classroom visits. The pool of 33 teachers of the year is narrowed down to 5, then to 3 and finally to OUR Santa Rosa County TOY.
Our rotary TOY is Santa Rosa County’s TOY 2016, Mrs Stephanie Duffey.
Mrs. Duffey has been an integral part to the implementation of a rigorous math curriculum at Gulf Breeze High School for the past 21 years.
She maximizes her ability to help students by providing tutoring sessions before and after school and has provided the highest possible quality instruction all of her students.
Mr. Brothers states that she epitomizes GBHS’s motto….”Expect Excellence”.
Once you see the video provided by the Ed Foundation that was made for the Golden Apple Awards, you will realize that her caring and vision for her students goes far beyond the years that they are in her classroom. She truly cares about the “after” and that she has helped to produce good citizens.


​Chief Randle introduced our Officer of the Year - 
Brandon Scapin, 27 years old


Brandon has lived his entire life in Gulf Breeze and graduated from the Gulf Breeze school systems.


Brandon attended the local Police Academy and became a part-time officer with GBPD in 2013. In May of 2014 Brandon became a full time Police Officer.


Brandon was the 2015 Police Officer of the Year for GBPD, being chosen by his peers.


Brandon was chosen due to his number of arrests, drug and vehicle seizures, traffic citations and case follow-ups.


In 2015, Brandon made 93 arrests and issued 215 citations.

See our Youtube channel for video  

Howard Reddy (Baritone)
 
A former Fulbright Scholar, Howard holds a Degree in Law & Business from University College Dublin in Ireland, and a Masters Degree in Music from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.  He currently serves as the Associate Director for the Office of Community Engagement in the division of University Advancement at UWF.  He was on the faculty of both the Theatre and Music Departments for three years, during which time he was instrumental in launching UWF’s Irish Experience Program.  He pursued an international performing career in opera for eight years, performing in opera and concert throughout the United States and Europe.  During his legal studies he was an avid debater, winning the James Joyce Award at University College Dublin. Howard is from Carlow, Ireland.
 
Mike Feldpausch (Guitar)
 
....My mother was born in Tipperary  ...her mom in County Down...i was schooled at Portland St. Patricks and Michigan State in Michigan..Rush Medical School in Chicago..then radiology residency at Northeastern Ohio College of Medicine...practice in Ohio and Michigan...I have a very musical family..played in bands with my dad and brothers since grade school...I have 2 children who live in San Antonio and Michigan...my son served 27 months in Iraq..was a 5  handicap in golf ..after years of hard work,l essions,videos ,therapy and prayer I'm now a 12..songwriting helps me cope..winter in Gulf Breeze summer in Lake Michigan..with a wonderful lady......lucky man.
 
Sean O'Toole ?(Bagpiper)
 
Biome Consulting Group -  Ecological Consultant & Founding Partner - performs ecological studies such as wetland delineation, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), wetland permitting, stream restoration, residential and commercial planning, and client support.
 
Sean has 22+ years’ experience in soil sciences, wetland permitting, storm-water, sovereign submerged lands, endangered species, invasive species studies and eradication, burn management, stream and wetland restoration, mitigation, and regulatory agency coordination.  In addition Sean also provides land use planning consulting for best and highest property uses, wetland creation planning and execution, monitoring of wetlands, and advises clients on regulatory compliance issues


See our Youtube channel for video  

 Presentation  From Vici Papajohn
History of the 4-Way Test
This speech benefits from research by Darrell Thompson Rotary Club of Morro Bay, California with contributions from Douglas W. Vincent  and Myron Taylor…  Vici thanked the committee members and cochair Anita Marie!
We have all heard of the greatest generation so you won't be surprised that we also get our 4-way test from the very beginning cusp or that age group!!?

More than 80 years ago, in the midst of the Great Depression, a Rotarian devised a simple, four-part ethical guideline that helped him rescue a beleaguered business. The statement and the principles it embodied also helped many others find their own ethical compass.

Soon after, embraced and popularized by Rotary International, The Four-Way Test today stands as one of the organization’s hallmarks.

Herbert Taylor, Chicago Rotarian and author of the Test, was apparently a consummate salesman and as we now know was a very ethical man. In 1932, Herb was asked to help revive the near-bankrupt Club Aluminum Company in Chicago. He already had a good job, but he took the chance and signed up with this troubled firm. Among other things that you normally do to stay alive in business he also crafted a short measuring stick of ethics for the staff to use.

And so, “The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do” was born:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all Concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
As simple as it was to remember, the Test became the basis for decisions large and small.

Some doubted its worth in that environment? Any system that calls for measuring actions on the basis of truth and the benefits to others is demanding. Just think of the conflict between those who try to balance integrity and ambition. When you are in survival mode ethics can sometimes play second fiddle.

The Test simply calls for thoughtful examination of one’s motives and goals. This emphasis on truth, fairness and consideration provide a moral diet so rich that it gives some people “ethical indigestion.”

The Four-Way Test was born in the rough and tumble world of business, and put to the acid test of experience in one of the toughest times that the business community has ever known. At Club Aluminum in the 1930s, everything was measured against The Four-Way Test and gradually created a climate of trust and goodwill among dealers, customers and employees and eventually helped improve Club Aluminum’s reputation and finances. By 1937, Club Aluminum’s was out of debt and during the next 15 years, distributed more than $1 million in dividends to its stockholders. Its net worth climbed to more than $2 million. That Herbert would be fired for results like that today but back then it was pretty good I guess. 

In 1942, Rotary adopted the Test and made it a component of the Vocational Service program and is a vital element in all four Avenues of Service.

Today, more than eight decades since its creation is it still relevant? Is it sophisticated enough to guide business and professionals in these fast-paced times?  Well that is for you to decide.

The Four-Way Test is international, transcending national boundaries and language barriers. It knows no politics, dogma or creed. More than a code of ethics, it has all the ingredients for a successful life in every way. I think the real question is “Are we all courageous enough to live by the test?”  

At the heart of Rotary today is The Four-Way Test, a call to moral excellence. The whole fabric of the capitalistic system rests to a large degree on trust . . . on the confidence that professionals will most of the time deal fairly and honestly, not only with each other, but also with the general public, with the consumer, the stockholder and the employee.”

Few things are needed more in our society than moral integrity. The Four-Way Test will guide those who dare to use it for worthy objectives: choosing, winning, and keeping friends; getting along well with others; ensuring a happy home life; developing high ethical and moral standards; becoming successful in a chosen business or profession; and becoming a better citizen and better example for the next generation.

Eloquently simple and undeniable in its results, The Four-Way Test still offers a fresh and positive vision in the midst of a world full of tension, confusion and uncertainty.

We have taken this test to the schools and challenged our students to think about what this test means to them and how it may be applied in their school or to solve other sticky situations. We got plenty of spirited entries but only two were selected.

 Our first student to be recognized today is Samantha Bixler from Gulf Breeze High School. 

GBHS: Second place-- Bethany McKinney 
Third  Place - Ben Linkous
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Our next student is from the elementary school, a fifth grader from Mike Rodgerson’s class, who even brought a special guest  David Chavez!
 GBES:  SECOND PLACE (two-way tie)  
     (Using the four way test everyday)   - Sophie MilleR, Wildebrant  CLASS
     (Flat Tax)  BY - Allison McLaughlin, MR Chavez  CLASS
 
THIRD PLACE (two-way tie)
      (Animal Rescue) by Nora Elliot,   Mrs. Vignes class   AND
      (Is slavery ethical?)  by- Ian McLaughlin,   Chavez  CLASS
 
If you live by the four way test you may find yourself outside your comfort zone. It requires courage live by the four way test doesn’t it?
 Our GBMS winner could not be with us today,  her name is   Sheridan Balthazar
 
GBMS – second place-       Bryanna Bevil
3rd Place tied :              Chloe Dickerson, Camilla Sanchez
This year's essays struck me because they analyzed complicated current challenges in our world, economics, politics and society

Honestly its improbable that we all will live the four way test 100% of the time. We all have regrets, but rather than give up on the ideal or each other I think we just need to consider the Test more often and continue to build up our courage. Just like Herbert did at Club Aluminum.. little by little things turn around.
So let’s have a round of applause for Herbert Taylor, I love you man!  And also for our essay winners and their families who are obviously doing something right. Congratulations and thanks for your participation.    
  
GBHS:
First place – SAMANTHA BIXLER
Second place - BETHANY MCKINNEY
Third Place -BEN LINKOUS
 (Principle - DANNY BROTHERS)
 GBES –
 FIRST PLACE   (Robby Strong)  IN Mr.  Rodgerson  CLASS -   David Chavez
 SECOND PLACE (two-way tie)  
  (Using the four way test everyday)   -  Wildebrant Sophie Miller  
  (Flat Tax)  BY student 14 Chavez  - Allison McLaughlin
 THIRD PLACE (two-way tie)
   #40  (Animal Rescue) BY  Student  #7 Vignes -     Nora Elliot                        
   AND #65 (Is slavery ethical?) BY   Student# 15 Chavez  - Ian McLaughlin
(PRINCIPAL WARREN STEVENS)
 
GBMS
1st place:              Sheridan Balthazar
2nd Place:             Bryanna Bevil
3rd Place:              Chloe Dickerson, Camilla Sanchez
 
Were Recognized  Monday on ITV
Michael Brandon ,  Principal