In the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce has stepped in to offer relief to the area's struggling hospitality workers. On Giving Tuesday, the chamber distributed $30,000 in donated funds to service workers, an effort described by Chamber of Commerce President Robin Miller as both emotional and driven by the need to support those who make life on the beaches possible. "It's about positive progress," Miller said, in a statement obtained by ABC Action News.
Many of these workers have had their livelihoods severely impacted by the closures of beachfront businesses due to storm damage. In a show of community support, hospitality workers were given two $100 gift cards each, with additional donations coming from the general public and business entities. However, the demand was such that not all of those who arrived were able to receive help. Robin Miller told WTSP that they began to take down names and numbers to continue aid efforts after quickly exhausting the available funds.
Some of the recipients, such as Diane Burrill and James Shelton, expressed the despair they've faced during the last two months. "I've been very depressed for two months. I've been miserable," Burrill revealed in an interview with ABC Action News. Shelton, whose place of work remains closed with no clear opening date, shared his ordeal with WTSP, stating, "I cried. I prayed to God and asked him what can I do next."
Despite the setback of running out of gift cards quickly, the chamber plans to persist in its fundraising efforts. To qualify for assistance, workers needed to present identification and proof of former employment, as per details shared by Bay News 9. Holding onto a sense of togetherness, Shelton emphasized the unity among the impacted workers: "We're all one family," he said, maintaining hope for the community to recover. For those interested in supporting these efforts, donations are still being accepted by the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce on their website, as the chamber continues to offer its backing to those affected.
