Bay County business owners Kevin and Susan Engle have created the “Bay County Strong” Hurricane Michael relief effort. Although originally from Atlanta, these entrepreneurs have strong personal ties to the Emerald Coast as two of the restaurants they are partners in, Back Beach Barbecue and Restaurant Paradis, are located in Panama City Beach and Rosemary Beach, Fla. Bay County Strong was founded as a local effort to assist the Florida Panhandle with Hurricane Michael relief efforts through hands on and financial assistance for those impacted by the devastation caused by the storm, all while keeping those in the Atlanta area informed and engaged with the help needed.

Bay County Strong will focus on four key relief areas in order to maximize its efforts and provide the most support possible to the affected regions. First, as a collaborative effort, the teams of Restaurant Paradis, Back Beach Barbecue and Atlanta-based 101 Concepts Restaurant Group will pool their resources together to provide food and meals to those in need. They have created the “Buy a Butt” program which consists of a $35 donation that will provide a hot pulled pork sandwich, chips, and a bottle of water to 20 people.

The second key area they will be focusing on is purchasing supplies to be handed out and distributed. The list of supplies needed is ever changing and can range from generators, tarps, and chainsaws to feminine care products, diapers, and school supplies. Bay County Strong will work with local officials to determine the most pressing needs. Monetary donations made directly to the relief effort will fund the purchasing of these supplies which will then be directly dispersed.

The relief efforts will be long-term and continue into the next several months. With that in mind, Bay County Strong will be providing financial assistance to other organizations such as shelters, various non-profit relief organizations, groups providing temporary housing solutions, and local humane societies which are overflowing with surrendered and lost pets. These organizations provide long-term support to those affected and will continue to support victims while they try to pick up the pieces.

Finally, the fourth key area Bay County Strong will focus on is aiding specific families or individuals that they uncover on a case-by-case basis. As individuals and families attempt to rebuild their homes and their lives, Bay County Strong will help lessen the pressure they all feel by offering and providing much needed direct support, such as housing, furniture, or food. The relief effort will also focus on providing holiday meals, gifts for children to open on Christmas morning, and other holiday-centered efforts as we go into the holiday season.

In order to fund these efforts, Bay County Strong has started an Ambassador Program in order to raise funds directly from the community and nationwide. If you are interested in becoming a Bay County Strong Ambassador, please email [email protected]. Donations can also be made through PayPal at paypal.me/baycountystrong850 or by check mailed to:

PO Box 611071

Rosemary Beach, FL 32462

If you would like to learn more about Bay County Strong and stay up to date on their relief efforts, please “Like” their Facebook page at http://bit.ly/BayCountyStrong.

About 101 Concepts

The Atlanta-based entrepreneurial team behind 101 Concepts relies on the dynamic combination of friendship and shared worked ethic for their successful partnership.

Steve Buero and Chris Segal came together through their Brooklyn backgrounds – meeting as busboys at a New York restaurant and as roommates at Iona College. Luckily for diners in the Southeast, those shared experiences led them to find their niche in friendly, neighborhood restaurants and pubs in Atlanta and Rosemary Beach, Florida. Since 1997, they have showed a knack for bringing the right concept to the right area and partnering with local entrepreneurs to bring the dining experience to those areas.

About Back Beach Barbecue

Back Beach Barbecue opened in June 2017 by Danny and Monica Cosenzi, the duo behind the famed Restaurant Paradis located in Rosemary Beach. Back Beach Barbecue offers a delicious, refined menu highlighted by 12-hour slow cooked meats, simple homemade sides, gluten free options and four sauces which are made in house. At the center of attention are the restaurant’s two wood fired pits, “Smokey” and “The Bandit”, easily viewed and smelled from the covered patio, outdoor patio or via two garage doors which give the restaurant a true open-air feel. Back Beach Barbecue also offers catering for private and corporate events, delivery and a mobile food truck. The restaurant is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, beginning at 6:30 a.m. For more information, please follow Back Beach Barbecue on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Information can also be obtained via www.backbeachbarbecue.com or by calling 850-249-0822.

About Restaurant Paradis

Restaurant Paradis is a small fine dining restaurant, that was taken over by local couple, Monica and Danny Cosenzi in 2014. Nestled in the beautiful coastal town of Rosemary Beach, Florida, you’ll find this hidden gem that loyal customers like to call home. Evoking a warm neighborhood feel, the dining area features an understated wine country elegance. Open for dinner beginning at 5 p.m., Paradis is committed to serving fresh seasonal ingredients, which celebrate local produce and an abundance of fresh Gulf seafood, along with prime steaks and fine wines. Paradis welcomes wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, and all celebrations, both intimate and large. Throughout the year, Paradis also offers select wine dinners and tastings from some of California’s most exclusive vintners. For more information, please follow Restaurant Paradis on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Information can also be obtained via www.restaurantparadis.com or by calling 850-534-0400.