Fish-Tale restaurant hosts Spirit of the Holidays
One of the island’s newest restaurants’ halls were decked out for the Spirit of the Holidays.
Fish-Tale Waterfront Dining was filled with guests in their holiday best as they came out to support the Beach Kids Foundation’s biggest annual fundraiser.
The Beach Kids Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing for the island’s children, uses the funds to purchase holiday gifts for children in need, fund scholarships and help take care of families in a pinch.
The tickets for the three-course dinner and live auction helped fund a majority of this year’s wish list shopping.
“We already raised a lot,” said Shannon Smith-Pineiro, a foundation board meeting. “I think the change of location will be great.”
This year’s event almost didn’t happen. Hurricane Irma put a serious cramp in the foundation’s time to plan, and they didn’t have a location. When Al Durrett, owner of Fish-Tale Marina and the new restaurant found out, he offered up his new venue. He’s always attended the fundraisers in the past.
“They stepped forward and offered and that’s big for us,” Smith-Pineiro said. “For someone that helped us for so many years to step up is great.”
The board didn’t have time to do its traditional silent auction, but a plethora of donated items made for a strong live auction.
The event raised $14,000 for the Beach Kids Foundation. President Fran Myers said Toni Lynn Starr, a musician and former beach kid, offered a hefty donation along with many other beach businesses, some of whom are adopting a family for their Christmas list. The foundation has already bought a majority of the gifts for 55 children, Myers said.
“Many many people gave money and support. Businesses were awesome with their auction items, and Fish-Tale did an awesome job,” Myers said. “Our island is so kind, and it’s been overwhelming.”