By Heather Bennett Eye
Shelley Joiner and her husband, Casey, have long cherished the beauty of The Emerald Coast, a place they call home. Shelley, who spent years as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse, dedicated herself to caring for the most delicate lives. Meanwhile, Casey, a local realtor with Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty, understands that a home is more than just a building—it’s a refuge for families.
Nearly a decade ago, their close-knit community was shaken when multiple friends and neighbors found themselves in the unimaginable position of watching their children or grandchildren battle childhood cancer. As they witnessed the physical and emotional toll this journey took on these families, Shelley and Casey felt a deep sense of helplessness. They wanted to do something—anything—to ease the burden, but they didn’t know how.
They began to think about how healing our beautiful beaches are, reflecting on how the tranquil sound of waves and the warm embrace of the sun had always provided them with peace. What if these families, who were enduring so much, could experience this same comfort? What if they could escape the relentless cycle of hospital visits, treatments, and fear, even if only for a week?
This idea grew, fueled by their desire to offer more than just words of sympathy. In 2015, that idea became a reality with the founding of Sandcastle Kids, a South Walton-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing all-expenses-paid vacations for families facing childhood cancer. With the deep understanding that these children and their families endure unimaginable mental, emotional, and financial stress daily, the goal of the organization is simple yet profound: to give these families a chance to escape their harsh realities and find rest, relaxation, and healing on the beautiful beaches of South Walton. The organization’s board is made up entirely of volunteers, so every dollar raised goes straight to helping families.
At the beginning, the largest challenge facing the organization was securing accommodations for the families they wanted to help. 360 Blue, a local property management company, stepped forward as a foundational partner. They didn’t just offer a solution, they offered a lifeline by donating properties and encouraging their clients to do the same. The generosity of 360 Blue and their clients has enabled Sandcastle Kids to flourish, allowing them to look forward to continuing this life-changing work for many years to come.
Sandcastle Kids works directly with Pediatric Oncology Social Workers at hospitals across the Southeast to identify families in need of a break. Each year, they bring roughly 20 families to the shores of Santa Rosa Beach during the non-peak rental season. By 2024, nearly 150 families will have found respite in the sand and surf, thanks to the efforts of this remarkable organization.
Once they arrive, the families have only one responsibility: to have fun. Sandcastle Kids takes care of the rest. From covering gas expenses for travel to providing gift cards for groceries and activities, restaurant certificates, and even photography sessions donated by generous local business owners, every detail is thoughtfully arranged. Each family’s vacation is designed to be as special and stress-free as possible, allowing them to create precious memories together.
“Our 4-year-old daughter, Eve, had been in the fight of her life for 828 days when we arrived at Watercolor for a much-needed respite. Not only has Eve been putting her bravest face on for more than two years, our 10-year-old, 8-year-old and 2-year-old have sacrificed so much during Eve’s extended hospital stays and periods of compromised immunity,” stated the Gvozdas Family. “What a gift it was to be able to surprise them with a week of ‘Yesses!’ Yes, you can go for a walk on the beach; yes, you can jump in the pool; yes, you can go to the candy store – yes, yes, yes!! When we said yes to this trip, many months ago, we had no idea that Eve would have her last dose of chemo (hopefully ever, Lord willing) during this week. We celebrated as she so bravely took that last chemo pill in the kitchen. We cheered, we cried, we danced, and we praised God for bringing her to this moment and for providing the beautiful setting for the celebration. A moment we’ll never forget, in a place we’ll never forget. We are forever grateful for your kindness and generosity in making these trips possible. It was a week of laughter, rest, memories made, miles biked, shells collected, dolphins spotted, and lessons learned by our children – that there are some really really kind people in the world.”
What began as a heartfelt desire to help friends in need has blossomed into a beacon of hope for families across the Southeast. Sandcastle Kids is more than just a charity; it’s a community of compassionate individuals committed to making a difference, one family at a time. Through the warmth of the sun, the soothing sounds of the ocean, and the kindness of strangers, Sandcastle Kids continues to build a legacy of love and healing, one sandcastle at a time.
Want to help or learn more? Visit https://thesandcastlekids.com.
