Who is Open Arms Children’s Home?

Open Arms is a faith-based, non-profit children’s home, focused on providing a quality, stable, Christian home environment for children who have been neglected, abandoned or abused in NW Fla. This month Open Arms will be opening the first of several homes on one acre parcels in Molino, Fla. Our first family home will begin with two loving house parents raising two boys’ ages 7 and 10, and a 13 year old girl.

What… can a single dollar buy now- a- days?

Open Armsis happy to announce its 1^st annual “Dollar for Hope “campaign. You can start by simply giving just $1.00 and then asking at least ten people you know in NW Florida to contribute to this worthy cause. Because we realized it’s difficult to ask someone to give a $100 or more, especially in times like these. But, when we ask for just a $1.00 commitment, we are amazed at the results!

Why? Because the need is so great!

Open Arms board members have come across too many desperate situations where we find neglected and often abused children, just waiting for somebody to reach out a hand! Our goal is to give these and other hurting children, a loving environment and help them mend their past and discover God’s plan for a brighter future!

When does it start?

“A Dollar for Hope” campaign begins on the week of Valentine’s Day starting on February the 13^th through Saturday the 18^th which has been selected as our official area collection day for the public. We are also asking for donations on Sunday February 19^th at many churches in our area.

Where can you donate?

We are providing “Dollar for Hope” collection boxes for the public to drop off their donations at all PENAIR Credit Union branch NW FL locations.

Thank you in advance for your help and support to help the orphaned and abused children in our two county areas.

Sincerely,

Michael Douglas

Executive Director,

Open Arms Children’s Home

P.O. Box 733

Cantonment, Fla. 32533

cell (850) 554-3234

4th Qtr 2010

- Final certification of first Children’s home location by the Florida Association of Christian Child Care Association (FACCCA) in preparation for the grand opening of first Open Arms home site sometime in 2011!
- Completed filling out required documentation for FACCCA and the State of Florida Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)

1st Qtr 2011

- Redirected plans for acquiring property on Nichols Lake Road in Navarre FL toward an immediate opening of our first home site at the “satellite home” of our founders and first House Parents of Open Arms:
Mr. & Mrs. Steven and Carmen Gindl!
- Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce – In March 2011 Open Arms hosted the Monthly Chamber Breakfasts at Oops Alley in Pace FL, and is scheduled to sponsor a luncheon this summer for the SRC Chamber at Nichols Seafood in Milton, Fl.
- Begin Marketing Plan by announcing our first upcoming area wide annual fund raising campaign “A Dollar for Hope”.  On 11 Mar 2011 introduce marketing campaign idea to the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce members.

2nd Qtr 2011

- In Early Summer 2011 – Open Arms Children’s Home will have its first “Open House” to officially dedicate the first House Parent’s Carmen and Steven Gindl and the permanent home site: on Idell Lane in Pace FL.  The celebration will include the announcement of the formal acceptance of our first child into our first home!
- The dedication will also include the placement of the first commemorative “Angelic Markers” to recognize our largest and notable donors by placing them as pavers during the official grand opening of our “Open Arms “Pathway of Love”.