TAMPA, Fla. — A Clearwater restaurant is partnering with North Pinellas Firefighters Charities to help first responders impacted by the recent hurricanes.
Outpost 611 Local Eatery & Taphouse is hosting a fundraiser with North Pinellas Firefighters Charities, which includes: a silent auction, raffles, concerts, a food drive, a toy drive and more.
“The firemen give so much to the community for one but we have a lot of guests that come into Outpost that have lost everything and so it’s been a journey that we’ve been on w with a lot of our customers, so we felt like we wanted to do something to give back,” said Wendy McCarthy, owner of the Outpost.
The community is also showing up to help give back. Some of the sports memorabilia is being donated by athletes themselves.
Former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Grant Balfour says the cause hits close to home as he donated among other items, an autographed World Series jersey.
“I have a long history of firefighters in my family, my uncle, my brother-in-law, several people,” said Balfour.
Lt. Chris Vacca with Oldsmar Fire & Rescue is grateful for the support as he’s one of the many first responders impacted by the back-to-back storms.
Vacca and his wife Nicole Buso are rebuilding after Hurricane Helene flooded their home. The couple worked years to remodel their Reddington Beach dream home themselves, to now be rebuilding, again after storm damage.
Former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Grant Balfour says the cause hits close to home, as he donated among other items, an autographed World Series jersey. (Spectrum News/Melissa Eichman)
“I think the max height we had it right around 4 feet but then we had active waves in the house that knocked off some things, items that were on the countertop,” explained Vacca. “The water coming through with so much power and everything was just flipped over.”
He was on duty during the storm.
“It’s a tough situation, you’re at work, you have to focus,” said Vacca. “You know or may know that your house is being destroyed or wrecked and you just still have to move forward.”
Vacca is thankful to be moving forward with support from the community he serves.
“When somebody’s reaching out and people are helping the community and helping us, I feel very grateful,” said Vacca.
Sunday Dec. 8
11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Meet Santa & take a photo
Meet firefighters & take a photo/Decorated fire engine
Face painting
Live music
Silent auction
3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Meet former Tampa Bay Rays MLB Pitcher, Grant Balfour: Photos, autographs
5 p.m.-8 p.m.
VIP ($100 donation) includes private Zoom concert with country artist, John Rich
Samples from: Yellowstone Bourbon & Delirium Tremens
Silent Auction
Raffles
The Petty Experience Concert 7 p.m.
Outpoast 611 Local Eatery & Taphouse
2454 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater
727-223-3224