Our Favorite Nonprofits to Support in Santa Rosa County
Before moving to the Milton and Santa Rosa County area, Steve and I worked with several nonprofits and charities through our church in Georgia. We feel strongly about giving back to our communities, so when Steve and I moved to Milton, we were eager to find new local causes that spoke to us.
If you’re a new Santa Rosa County homeowner or simply looking to make an impact, the 3 causes we’re sharing with you today are a great place to start.
1. Santa Rosa County Animal Services
If you’re looking for a new pet to bring home, we highly, highly encourage you to consider adoption. In addition to the typical influx of pets at shelters, our area also includes a military community, which means that families have to relocate on short notice and perfectly loving pets often get left behind.
This is where the Santa Rosa County Animal Services comes in. We found this shelter when visiting the building permit office in Milton (we’re there a lot!), which is just a block or two away. Steve and I are both passionate about animals, and we love that this no-kill shelter works hard to place each animal in their forever home.
How You Can Help:
If you have the means, consider adopting a dog, puppy, cat, or kitten. (We have two rescue dogs, Oakley and Millie, and they are the sweetest, most loving companions!)
Donate cans or bags of food, especially wet food for kittens.
Donate old blankets that pets could use as bedding.
Donate toys that will bring joy to a dog or cat.
Oakley, the newest rescue to join the Abbott pack!
2. First City Art Center in Pensacola
Steve and I share a passion for art, and when we stumbled across The First City Arts Center in Pensacola via their annual pumpkin patch sale — picture Wahoo stadium filled with thousands of hand-blown glass pumpkins and fall décor — we knew we had found something special.
This huge fundraiser financially supports their artists, summer youth programs, campus maintenance, and other related expenses. They are also known for their extensive glass-blowing studio and number of amazing artists in residency. It’s a true community!
How You Can Help:
Volunteer! I volunteered at the pumpkin patch to assist with sales. I helped with setup, and I wrapped and bagged purchases. This is also a great opportunity to meet new people with similar interests, especially if you’re new in town. Time will fly!
Take a class. There are many to choose from. I took a painting class at the center, learned a new skill, supported local artists, and got to meet them. It’s also a great date idea for you and your spouse or a friend.
3. Magdalene’s Gifts & Gatherings in Gulf Breeze
I’ve shared Magdalene’s House with you before, but it feels remiss to leave off this list, as they are doing incredible work in our community. As a long-term, residential treatment center for women, they help survivors recover from trafficking, prostitution, abuse, and addiction.
Their shop, Magdalene’s Gifts and Gatherings, sells goods made by women in recovery and other local artisans, with proceeds going back into housing, clothing, education, medical services, and emotional support. I can’t think of a better cause.
How You Can Help:
Purchase gifts from their shop of home decor, clothing, jewelry, art, Christian literature, and more.
Volunteer in the gift shop or at Magdalene’s House.
Other Worthy Causes to Explore
Support Bay Aquatic Life: We’ve joined an organization where we’re working to improve the water quality in the Bay. We live on the water and have a keen interest in the fish and plant life that the Bay supports. The Perdido and Pensacola Bay Estuary Program is actively working to educate us and monitor the Bay waters. They have an amazing newsletter full of information and opportunities to learn more at info@ppbep.org.
Local Plant Life: I’ll also share in a future post about the Milton Garden Club. I am learning a lot about what grows in my yard (after killing quite a few plants due to my lack of knowledge). With their encouragement, we created a raised garden and are growing beautiful winter vegetables.
Which will you choose? If you ask me, the secret to impacting your community is to follow your passions and interests. We’ve chosen these nonprofits because we care about art, animals, our environment, and helping everyone love and feel safe in their homes.
However, your interests might be different, and that’s great — that’s how we all contribute to a world that we leave better than we found it. So follow what you love, look around, and try some new things. Between you and me, getting involved in your interests gives something back to you, too.
Until next time,
Sarah (& Steve)