Destin is known for its white sand beaches that look like sugar spilling from the pine forests into emerald-green waters. As distinctive as this is, the area’s most striking feature is its people. In this important issue of Destin City Lifestyle, Dion highlights the giving character of this city and its surrounding communities. He is fully engaged with his real estate and business law practice as a Partner at Hand Arendall Harrison Sale; and as President of Emerald Coast Title Services. But giving back to the community that welcomed him is a priority for Dion. He encourages all of our readers to find a way to get involved in growing this community. Let’s look at a few opportunities.
For starters, Dion's law firm is sponsoring the 10th Annual Destin Chamber's Bourbon at the Bay event, as they have for several years. He was a recipient of their Business Person of the Year Award in 2020 and their Ann Gibson Community Service Award in 2017. A past Chairman of the Destin Chamber, Dion continues to support their work in the business community.
Dion also serves with the Rotary Club of Destin. Dion is a past President of this organization that has a goal to further education and eradicate hunger in the local community with initiatives such as Food for Thought, Harvest House, the Boys and Girls Club, Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) and others. They also award an annual $10,000 scholarship to a graduating senior. During Dion’s presidential year, the Club was honored for the first time as Mid-Size Club of the Year for their relief efforts after Hurricane Michael and numerous other service projects.
Dion now serves as Chairman of Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation. MKAF activities include everything from an annual Festival of the Arts, to camps and workshops for children, therapeutic art for veterans, and sponsoring live musical performances at Concerts in the Villages. The Emerald Coast is a woven fabric, textured with song and color, thanks to Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation.
Dion also highlights the work of Aletha’s Legacy, where he serves as Vice President. This local organization is renovating an elementary school and an orphanage in Monrovia, Liberia (Africa). It is a wonderful bridge from Destin to another part of the world, spreading a message of “…hope for the future to the children of Liberia by providing quality education in a safe environment”. Last, but certainly not least, Dion is a founding board member of the Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation which has pledged to award up to five $40,000 scholarships next year to deserving children in the community, and he is a member of 100 Men Who Care Emerald Coast.
The Destin community welcomed Dion Moniz and allowed him to immediately start making an impact. Be encouraged. There is a non-profit organization just waiting to welcome you to partner with them to preserve Destin’s culture of giving!