COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Less than a day after a fire damaged the Tiny Turtle in Cocoa Beach, supporters are already finding ways to help the family behind the popular restaurant recover.
Local musician Matt Riley donated all of his tips Saturday night during a performance at Grounds and Grapes, one of several fundraising efforts already underway.
Riley said helping Tiny Turtle owners Kelly and Mo was an easy decision.
“I’ve known Kelly and Mo since before my son was in kindergarten,” Riley said. “They’re just absolute pillars in this town.”
Donation links are circulating online, and another fundraiser is already planned for next week.
Supporters gathered Saturday night at Grounds and Grapes, while other local businesses continued spreading the word and encouraging donations.
Business owners say the response reflects the close-knit nature of Cocoa Beach’s small-business community.
“We all support each other,” said Marissa, general manager of The Alleyway, a neighboring business. “We come to each other’s businesses. We eat there. They come here.”
The support started almost immediately after Friday’s fire, which damaged the Tiny Turtle’s tiki roof.
Even as firefighters worked at the scene, the owners invited people to stop by and take food before it went to waste.
“Even after the fire, they posted it and said everybody come get some free food so we don’t want all this stuff to go to waste,” Riley said. “Even on the worst day of their lives, they still helped out.”
Supporters say that’s exactly why so many people are now stepping up to help the Tiny Turtle family in return.
Donations to help the Tiny Turtle can be made at the link below: