Serving to Preserve, Key West Art & Historical Society Collaborates with Charities to Support Ongoing Hurricane Recovery Efforts
In the spirit of community and in alignment with their mission of preservation, Key West Art & Historical Society has joined Star of the Sea Foundation and Habitat for Humanity to help support ongoing hurricane Irma recovery efforts throughout the Keys. Specifically, The Society will host and donate proceeds from events they hold throughout the year to aide in the partnering organization’s charity efforts, including the upcoming “Brick House Funk Party” benefit on Thursday, October 26th, and their annual “Back in Time” fundraiser taking place on Wednesday, November 29th.
“Key West Art & Historical Society has a strong membership base that’s passionate about arts as well as the community,” says Habitat for Humanity Board President Debbie Swift Batty. “The organization has graciously offered to support Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.”
Given the impact and destruction of hurricane Irma, Star of the Sea Foundation (SOS) and Habitat for Humanity are working especially hard at providing what they can for communities Keys-wide, and recovery efforts are far from being over.
“Star of the Sea Foundation and Habitat for Humanity both have missions that support the Keys community on a consistent and continual basis, which is important given the long-term impact of the storm” says Michael Gieda, Executive Director of The Society, one of the city’s oldest non-profit organizations that spearheads the cultural preservation and heritage of Key West and the Florida Keys.
Gieda says the staff is working together “at light speed” to round out the details of annual events such as the Holiday Bazaar and Conch Revival Picnic, with the goal of raising money for these and other charities while providing the community with some much-needed fun.
“Our focus is togetherness and support,” he says.
The Society and its three museum locations- The Custom House, Fort East Martello, and Key West Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters- are not without their own damage. At the Custom House Museum alone, the storm damaged all a/c chiller compressors, compromised the HVAC system- critical to regulating climate control for the artifacts within the museums, damaged sections of the roof, and destroyed the surrounding landscaping. With the assistance of capitol grants and future fundraising, they hope to restore all damage as soon as possible.
“What we most need is a recognition by our community of the long-term impact of Irma on the workforce and the resources to respond to the same,” says Thomas Callahan, Executive Director of Star of the Sea Outreach Mission. “Our entire community has been effected. SOS will be helping long after the Red Cross and FEMA are gone, but we are going to need funding from those who can afford to support our efforts.”
For more information on the upcoming benefits or to make a contribution, contact Michael Gieda at 295.6616 x 103 or visit WWW.KWAHS.ORG. Your Museums. Your Community. It Takes an Island.