
Sandcastle Kids, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, provides children who have endured a challenging battle with cancer a week vacation with their families on the beautiful beaches of Destin and South Walton, Florida.
ABOUT US
Witnessing several friends walk this daunting path, and seeing what these children and families go through, Shelley Joiner, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse, and Casey Joiner, a local realtor, had a decided heart to provide a way for these families to be together in a beautiful environment, while having much needed rest they so richly deserve. After looking around at the beautiful place we are blessed to call home, we decided to create a relaxing retreat for these children and families. In that moment the vision for Sandcastle Kids was created. Our hearts have always gone out to children who face devastating illness so early in life. What we have also seen up close is the additional toll on the lives of everyone around them. Families uprooting themselves for the best treatment, parents leaving jobs behind, and families living separately to try to make ends meet while seeking care. These are only a few examples of the many hardships that can accompany such devastating illness. Sandcastle Kids brings families with children between the ages of one and eighteen to the Destin and Santa Rosa Beach Florida area for a week vacation. Children are referred to our program through doctors, healthcare providers, and hospital/clinic social workers. The families are provided with a beach house or condominium during their stay. To make their vacation enjoyable as possible, the families will receive additional items such as gift certificates to local restaurants, grocery stores, and other area amenities. We are determined to create an experience that offers relief, reunion and loving memories.
"What a beautiful destination and extraordinary experience you shared with our family. After struggling through our daughter's cancer diagnosis and treatment, the chance to create so many happy and fun-filled memories together was key to our family's healing process. We are so grateful to Sandcastle Kids and to the entire community for the generosity and kindness we were shown during our stay."
~Taylor Family, November 2015