Buffs raise bucks for Sister Season Fund

Coming together, separately

Key West locals need face coverings, and the nonprofit Sister Season needs funds to continue providing $1,000 grants to tourism-dependent workers who are going broke during this unprecedented and financially devastating health crisis. 

With permission from Key West city officials, masked volunteers and board members from Key West’s Sister Season Fund on April 10 teamed up with Joey Schroeder and Jim Gilleran of the 801 Bourbon Bar to distribute buff-type face coverings in exchange for a $10 (or more) donation to the Sister Season Fund.

They opened the bar’s two large windows that face Duval Street to accept donations in exchange for black, white, blue or pink buffs that feature the Sister Season logo.

Sister Season Fund volunteers demonstrate proper social distancing before launching their April 10 face-covering fundraiser at 801 Bourbon Bar on Duval Street. The nonprofit organization received permission from city officials to hold the event that strictly enforced the 6-foot separation while exchanging buffs for donations. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

More than 200 locals stopped by, staying 6 feet apart on the sidewalk — a distance enforced by Gilleran and others — while awaiting their turn at the window.

“We raised nearly $3,000 and went through hundreds of buffs in less than two hours,” volunteer Mark Watson told The Weekly after the event.

Watson said they’ll do it all over again from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or while supplies last) on Tuesday, April 14 at the same place, 801 Duval St. 

“This all started when [Key West drag queen] Sushi started sewing masks with a few of the other 801 Girls for health care and front line workers ,” Schroeder said. “Then an amazing, and constantly growing, group of generous people in this community started sewing masks as well. It’s been a tremendous community effort.”

What is Sister Season Fund?

Sister Season Fund is an effort to help locals employed in tourism-related industries when illness, injury or other temporary financial emergency occurs through no fault of their own and prevents them from working. Since its launch in 2005, SSF has provided more than $700,000 in assistance to Key West workers.

“Typically, these hard-working individuals have very little in the way of reserves, with no insurance or employee benefits,” the website states. “Under these circumstances, when qualified applicants need help keeping a roof over their heads and making sure their basic utilities are not cut off, the Sister Season Fund is here to help.

“We believe these individuals represent the infrastructure of the tourism industry in Key West, and we don’t think our island can afford to lose them.”

Sister Season board president Julie Hanson at the April 10 event emphasized that the organization only has one paid employee, and that salary comes from a grant, not donated funds.

“These days, with no tourists and so many businesses closed, we know everybody is temporarily out of work, so during this crisis, there doesn’t have to be an accident or injury for someone to receive assistance from Sister Season,” Hanson said, adding that since the business closures, the organization has provided $1,000 grants to 75 struggling households and currently has another 30 applications awaiting further documentation.

“We know we can’t fix everything, but hearing that sigh of relief when someone learns they’ve been approved for a quick $1,000 grant feels amazing,” Hanson said. “But it’s in no way just us. This community, this One Human Family, makes what we do possible through their generous donations and grants.”

Applicants must show proof of their monthly housing costs and utilities and bank statements for the past two months to show their need. Applications for assistance are available here.


DOING IT AGAIN

Sister Season Fund will hold another face-covering fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or until supplies last) on Tuesday, April 14 at the 801 Bar, 801 Duval St. 

Buffs are available in four colors for a $10 (or more) donation to the charity that provides financial assistance to struggling, tourism-dependent workers.

Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. An award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together in Key West since 1998. "Local news is crucial," she says. "It informs and connects a community. It prompts conversation. It gets people involved, holds people accountable. The Keys Weekly takes its responsibility seriously. Our owners are raising families in Key West & Marathon. Our writers live in the communities we cover - Key West, Marathon & the Upper Keys. We respect our readers. We question our leaders. We believe in the Florida Keys community. And we like to have a good time." Mandy's married to a saintly — and handy — fishing captain, and can't imagine living anywhere else.