Help The Helm St. Pete After Hurricane Helene

Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Strangers,

I am reaching out with a heavy heart to share my parents’ story in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which devastated our community and destroyed their restaurant, The Helm. This was their dream—a passion project they poured their hearts and souls into after COVID uprooted our lives. It was more than just a business; it was a place filled with laughter and love.

When my parents opened the restaurant, they envisioned a gathering space for families, friends, and neighbors. Every detail was carefully crafted: from the decor my mom carefully thrifted to the menu that celebrated our family's traditions. (Ask why they call it "Christmas Bacon.") They worked tirelessly to make it a place where everyone felt welcome, where memories were made over shared meals and warm conversations echoed through the dining room.

But now, everything has changed. The storm that swept through Florida left nothing but destruction in its path. Our family restaurant, along with many others, was hit hard. The floodwaters rushed in, ruining all of the kitchen and bar equipment, damaging the floors and drywall, and rendering the electrical systems inoperable. We watched it all happen on the security cameras, helpless and overwhelmed. My parents, who have always been pillars of strength in my and my brother's lives, are heartbroken. They never imagined that the dream they built could be washed away so quickly.

What makes this even more devastating is that, like many small businesses in Florida, they are left crippled without flood insurance because premiums are simply too high to afford. They’ve always prioritized investing in the restaurant and staff, believing that their passion would sustain them. Now, they are left with a total loss and no safety net to catch them.

I’m asking for your help—not just for them, but for their staff and support team. Every day they are closed is a day each of them is out of a job. Every dollar raised will go directly toward rebuilding the restaurant, replacing vital equipment, and restoring the space they’ve lovingly created. Your support would mean the world to my family and the community that has rallied around us for so long.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I know times are tough for everyone, but if you can find it in your heart to help, I promise that your generosity will not only help rebuild a restaurant, but also restore hope to my parents and many others who have lost so much. Let’s bring back the love and warmth that once filled the walls at The Helm.

With gratitude and hope,

Madi (& Brendan) Butler