Nahant to hold fundraiser for Tides staff

NAHANT – Days after the damaging fire led Tides Restaurant to close its doors, Nahant residents are more concerned with helping the out-of-work employees than where to eat.School Committee member Kerri McKinnon said she and Police Dispatcher Roz Pulio started making calls on the morning of the fire to plan a fundraising effort for the approximately 70 employees who found themselves out of a job last Tuesday.”Nobody expected this to happen,” said McKinnon. “Unemployment doesn’t immediately kick in, and most wait staff live off tips. With the economy how it is, not everybody has a six-month crisis fund anymore.”McKinnon said she became close with the familiar staff at Tides, where she spent a lot of time as a newcomer to the town five years ago. Now, a night at the Tides is her Tuesday night tradition. “I have seen the staff at all transitions in their lives. I have watched them have babies, graduate college, get married. We know what they do, but we also value what they do ? they give and they give and they give, and I just couldn’t sit back and do nothing.”After some quick planning, McKinnon said a Relief for Tides Employees fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 7 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Nahant Lifesaving Station. The organizers are asking for a $5 donations to attend the event, where there will be food, raffles (including a 50-50 pot), live bands and a DJ.McKinnon said she is aiming high with a fundraising goal of $20,000 since even Tides owner Mike O’Callahan has no way of knowing when the restaurant will re-open. “Mike is determined to get employees back into their jobs,” said McKinnon. “He doesn’t want to lose them.”The effort to reach out to Tides employees is coming from outside the town as well. Prince Pizzeria owner Steve Castraberti offered to find shifts for Tides employees at his eatery until they can return to work, whether they work in the kitchen or waiting on tables. “I’d like to help out any way we can being in the same business,” said Castraberti.McKinnon said she is already receiving donations for food and raffle items for the event. “I’m just overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of the community,” she said. “I’m just blown away.”Those who wish to make donations but cannot attend the event can send checks to Relief for Tides Employees Fund c/o Equitable Cooperative Bank, 28 Nahant Road, Nahant, MA 01908.Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].