Times have been indescribably tough for thousands of Key West workers and families, many of whom lost their livelihoods when the coronavirus pandemic shut down much of the island city in mid-March.
The nonprofit Sister Season Fund immediately stepped in to continue its mission of providing financial assistance to service industry workers who are unable to work due to illness, injury — or now, a global pandemic. The fund immediately started providing $1,000 grants to households in need, but the need soon exhausted the fund, so other organizations and individuals found ways to refill the Sister Season coffers.
Craig and Cindy Tellerd, who own a vacation rental condominium in Key West joined in the assistance effort during the COVID-19 crisis and decided to raffle off a week’s stay in their condominium. The Tellerds donated the week’s stay and all proceeds from the raffle to Sister Season.
“We have already assisted over 220 households since COVID-19 closed our island, awarding almost $500,000 in rental assistance,” said Sister Season President Julie Hanson.
Also, between Hurricane Irma in 2017 and the continuing COVID-19 health crisis and economic disaster, the Krewe of Key West has raised and donated $64,000 to Sister Season.
“We’ve had serious concerns about the service industry sector and their ability to make ends meet during these disasters,” said Valsin Marmillion, who launched the Krewe of Key West with partner Juan Pisani in 2015 to encourage its members to “party with a purpose.”
Since then, the Krewe has donated more than $160,000 to local organizations. In addition to SSF, its members have helped Key West Wildlife Center, Lucy’s Fund for pets in distress, Wesley House, Key West High School Band, Keys2Swim to teach kids water safety, and Womankind, which needed an important piece of imaging equipment. The group also helped individual families pay off debts to the school district for school lunches and donated hundreds of holiday gifts through Kids Come First.
Marmillion emphasized that the Krewe members don’t publicize their donations and assistance for thanks or credit, but rather, “We are most hopeful that our donations encourage others to be generous and to support local organizations, most of whom run on a shoestring and do incredible work for this community.”