Chi Chi Miguel fund raiser donates over $93,000 to ECCAC

Niceville & DeFuniak Springs, FL (August 15, 2018)…Presented by the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, the 12^th annual Chi Chi Miguel fund raiser took place this spring and raised $2 million for eight area charities. From the overall monies raised, the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC) received a generous $93,973.94.

Founded in 2006 by co-chairs Valerie and Mike “Chi Chi Miguel” Thompson as a small backyard barbeque competition, the Throwdown Benefit Auction & BBQ has since expanded to a three-day, star-studded event and one of the most successful fundraisers along the Emerald Coast. ECCAC also directly benefited from the 10^th annual Chi Chi Miguel Golf Tournament at Burnt Pines in Sandestin, and chaired by ECCAC supporters, Jim and Ann Barri.

ECCAC CEO Julie Hurst-Porterfield commented, “Over the years, both the Thompsons and their Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown have been an instrumental part of our success and ability to be able to serve the children. We are so appreciative of the Chi Chi supporters, too.”

With facilities in Niceville and the Pierce Family Children’s Advocacy Center in Defuniak Springs, ECCAC serves abused children and their families in a neutral environment. Both centers staff a multidisciplinary team of child protection personnel, prosecutors, law enforcement, DCF, therapists, and ECCAC staff and volunteers. In the organizations’ 17-year history, more than 43,000 direct services have been provided in a child-friendly environment to over 12,000 children and their families. Services are provided at no cost by the nonprofit organization.

For further information, visit www.eccac.org. If abuse is suspected, call the anonymous Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE.