GULFPORT, Fla. — In August, Hurricane Debby tore through Gulfport's boating community. Next came Hurricane Helene with devastating storm surge and finally Hurricane Milton with more surge and high winds.
The storms gutted both businesses and homes, including Kiki Hancock's.
“I've shed a lot of tears since Sept. 26th when the storm happened, but mostly tears of joy,” Hancock said.
Hancock said she's lost everything, but her community has been there to pick her up.
“In the meantime, a good friend of ours let us stay at his house with he and his wife for both storms,” Hancock said.
She added that's what it means to be Gulfport strong.
At the North End Taphouse and Kitchen, Kelly Wright said many people are relaxing for the first time.
“I feel like people need this as much as they're working through everything they're working through. They need this camaraderie,” Wright said.
Musicians entertained while guests participated in a silent auction and a raffle. All the proceeds go to those who lost everything these last few weeks.
“We're a community here we're all friends we all know each other business owners. I've been here 20 years to drive down there and see the devastation has been really hard,” Wright said.
Many businesses here in the Waterfront District had to close their doors after Hurricane Helene and only a few have been able to reopen after Hurricane Milton.
But not for long. Grego Anderson said their community will bounce back.
“As soon as my wife and I got here we knew that we wanted to stay here. When you love something like that it's just like when your child is hurt, or your dog is hurt. You'll do anything to try and make it feel better,” Anderson said.
The restaurant hopes to raise $10,000. It’s working with The John Prine “Hello in There” Foundation, a nonprofit that has promised to match what they bring in up to $10,000. If you would like to find more information about donating to this cause, click here.