The Cause
What does this charity support?
Pulling for Generations! Your Impact
Twin Cities Pavilion and Crestview Manor were established in the early 1980’s to address the need for an affordable living alternative. Our mission is to provide a safe, homelike option for low-to-moderate income elderly and handicapped who would otherwise find themselves homeless.
The facilities were renovated from outdated hospitals provided by the County for $1/year. This arrangement was conditioned upon our not returning to request additional funding. All expenses are paid from the modest rents and Medicaid reimbursements we receive. The buildings are 50 and 60 years old and come with high maintenance costs. We have been blessed to have the support of our communities in supporting this endeavor.
The need for services like ours is growing rapidly. The elderly are the fastest growing demographic in the United States. Over 10,000 individuals join the 65+ population daily. Aging programs are not popular because too many assume that they can care for themselves. This is a myth that we hope to overcome. It is anticipated that by the year 2030 there will be more adults 65+ than those 18 to 64 years of age.
Your support plays a direct role in funding large‑scale projects, most of which involve critical maintenance and facility improvements that ensures our resident’s safety and comfort. The time to act is now. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the life of someone who is vulnerable, anxious, or alone. Every pull, every cheer, every donation helps ensure that every resident has a safe place to call home.
Together, we’re just not pulling a fire truck-we’re pulling for generations.
How It All Began
Our story begins with a simple need and a community unwilling to look the other way. The Mid‑Bay Rotary Club has supported the Twin Cities Pavilion (TCP) for many years. In 2020, Karen Goodson, then the Pavilion’s Activities Coordinator, approached me about a serious safety issue: the front deck’s painted concrete surface had deteriorated so badly that it became dangerously slippery when wet.
As Club Services Director, I sought estimates from local concrete companies, but the $6,000–$8,000 cost was more than our club could manage alone. We began exploring a district grant. The Pavilion has long been supported by many local service groups and churches — including the Knights of Columbus from both area Catholic parishes and the Niceville Kiwanis Club. Several of our Rotary members are also Knights, and through that connection came an unexpected blessing: the owner of Fort Walton Beach Concrete offered to resurface the deck at no cost.
That generosity revealed a larger issue. The entire front veranda was in disrepair — peeling paint, weathered beams, and aging support posts. Fixing only the deck would make the rest look even worse. After meeting with representatives from the various service groups, we agreed the whole veranda needed refurbishment. The best estimate for the additional work was around $15,000 — far beyond what any single organization could raise.
We needed a major fundraiser.
The Mid‑Bay Rotary Club already hosted an annual Oktoberfest, and in previous years the North Bay Fire Department had joined us for a small “Fire Truck Pull.” It was fun but modest. Still, the idea stuck: could we scale it into something big enough to fund the Pavilion project?
The first challenge was finding a venue. I approached 3rd Planet Brewing, which had recently opened a new location and was already known for supporting community events. The owners immediately embraced the idea and helped connect us with local fire departments. Once I shared the concept with our club and the other service organizations, we agreed from the start that this wouldn’t belong to any one group — it would be a true community fundraiser.
East Niceville Fire Chief Dave Birch quickly became one of the event’s strongest champions, and his support was essential in launching the first Fire Truck Pull in spring 2021. That inaugural event raised roughly $17,000 — enough to complete the full refurbishment of the Pavilion’s veranda.
Later that year, Karen Goodson asked whether we planned to host a second Fire Truck Pull. Around the same time, 3rd Planet shared that it had been one of their most popular events of the year. What began as a one‑time fundraiser quickly became a tradition.
From the second year forward, we expanded the mission. The event now supports Elder Services of Okaloosa County, benefiting both the Twin Cities Pavilion and Crestview Manor. Today, the Fire Truck Pull is powered by a wide network of volunteers, local companies, civic groups, and community partners who make the event possible.
What started as a slippery deck has grown into a community‑driven tradition — one that lifts up our seniors, strengthens local partnerships, and brings generations together in the spirit of service.
— Bob Hoffman
Service Director, Mid‑Bay Rotary Club
The ‘Pullin’ for Generations Fire Truck’ pull is presented by the Niceville Rotary in support of the Twin Cities Pavilion and the Crestview Manor.