Since September, Diane Burrill has been unable to serve customers at Wahoo’s Bayside Pub and Grill in Redington Shores.

“It’s been the worst thing I’ve ever been through,” Burrill said. “I’ve been without a paycheck for two months now.”

Like many businesses on Pinellas County’s beaches, Wahoo’s is still rebuilding after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, leaving several hospitality workers without jobs. Many also lost their homes, cars, and more in the storms.

“Many of the people standing in line woke up one day and lost their car,” said Robin Miller, President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce. “They lost their apartment.”

On December 2nd, hundreds of hospitality workers lined up at Madeira Beach City Hall as early as 7 a.m. for the Chamber’s 10 a.m. gift card distribution. The Chamber handed out $30,000 worth of gift cards on a first-come, first-served basis, thanks to donations from community members and tourists over the past couple of months.

“I was surprised,” said Treasure Island Mayor John Doctor about the line. “It really goes all the way down the road. It wraps around the baseball field. People are in need.”

Chamber employees began by distributing two $100 Visa gift cards per person for about the first 128 people. They then handed out 20 $50 Publix gift cards and 20 $20 Buoys Waterfront Bar and Grill gift cards. People in line received numbers based on the available gift cards, with the last number given out around 9:15 a.m., before the event even started.

“When I had to give the last number out and knew there were probably double that number behind it… it was very emotional to see people waiting,” Miller said.

Burrill, who waited about two hours for her gift cards, later decided to use them to buy Christmas gifts for a family in line that did not receive a gift card.

“There are a lot of people here, and many didn’t get tickets. That’s sad,” Burrill said.

Miller noted that while close to 90 businesses have reopened, several remain closed. The line on December 2nd highlighted the tremendous need.

“It’s a slow process, but we in our chamber call it positive progress. And today, this is amazing positive progress. I think this line could have been triple the size, but fortunately, some of our restaurants and attractions have reopened,” Miller said.

Miller added, “Tourism is our number one industry here in Pinellas County, and the more support we get, the quicker we can all recover.”

Doctor echoed, “We need to get everything back in place and get people back in their homes as well as back in the restaurants and bars and all the stores. That’s what makes our community.”

The Chamber collected the names and information of those left in line and will contact them if more donations are received. They hope to conduct another gift card distribution and are accepting donations on the Chamber’s website: Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce Hurricane Resources.

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(Image credit: Fox 13 Tampa Bay)