MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — Thousands of people are still waiting to go back to work after storms ripped through beachfront businesses. The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce gave displaced hospitality workers gift cards to help them.
Hundreds of displaced hospitality workers lined up for a gift card, and No. 81 was James Shelton who worked at Crabby's on the Pass right on the water.
“We closed after Helene. The first one, she tore us up,” Shelton said.
James and many of his team members are out of work.
“We weren't friends, we were family. I have no family. They are my family. I'm the last one living in my family,” Shelton said.
Crews are still making repairs and there’s no word on when they'll reopen.
“Tears were rolling down my face, just rolling down my face. I cried. I prayed to God and asked him what can I do next,” Shelton said.
It's something everyone in line can relate to. That's why the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce stepped in to help.
Through donations, the group doled out hundred-dollar Visa gift cards along with donated gift cards from Publix and a local business.
“They've lost cars, they've lost apartments, they've lost jobs, but not a lot of people have realized the magnitude of jobs that have been impacted. Even though a restaurant is open they're not open 100%, so there's still some people that are not employed right now,” Robin Miller with Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce said.
In less than two hours, the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce ran out of gift cards. Right now, it’s taking down contact information for people it didn't get today. The group says they're still accepting donations and hope to do a round two in the future.
“Hopefully I can get a little rent paid and buy a couple of gifts. Christmas time is coming up,” Shelton said.
Shelton said it's going to take the entire community to get through this rough time.
“I'm not your judge or your executioner, but I see the best of everyone out here. We're all one family,” Shelton said.
With a little faith and compassion, he believes everyone who showed up will end up on top.
“I'm like this every day. We're strong folks down here in Florida,” Shelton said.
If you would like to donate, you can find more information on the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce website.