WHAT
The Rock ’n’ Support relief fund is now fully distributed. Between November 21, 2024, and April 7, 2025, 781 hospitality and tourism workers across Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, Cortez, and Longboat Key received direct financial assistance totaling $355,250. Grants were distributed through the nonprofits Shuckin’ Good Cause and the Women’s Resource Center to provide fast and flexible support to those facing storm-related hardship.
On November 15, 2024, more than 3,500 people came together for Rock ’n’ Support, a one-night-only benefit concert starring Lynyrd Skynyrd and Marcus King at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. Just six weeks after the storms hit, this unforgettable night raised more than $350,000 for the people who serve the Bradenton Area’s Gulf Islands every day.
WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE
The Rock ’n’ Support campaign was led by a powerhouse coalition of business, nonprofit, and civic leaders:
Elliott Falcione and the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau sponsored the concert, secured legendary talent through promoter Rich Engler, and provided the venue and operational support needed to execute a large-scale event in record time. The Manatee County Government, including the Tourist Development Council and County Commissioners, moved quickly to approve the use of tourism recovery funds, making it possible for all proceeds from the concert to directly benefit hospitality workers without delay. Their immediate support and collaboration were critical to the success of the Rock ’n’ Support campaign and the speed at which relief was delivered to the community.
John and Amanda Horne of Oysters Rock Hospitality offered the collaboration of Shuckin’ Good Cause, their independent nonprofit organization established in 2023. Pam Beck, Director of Shuckin’ Good Cause, coordinated between partners, promoted the program, and oversaw the processing of checks once recipient approvals were finalized. Amanda Harms in Accounts Payable personally processed the hundreds of checks to ensure recipients received funds as quickly as possible.
Chris Culhane of The Center of Anna Maria Island helped initiate the campaign, signed the talent contract just two weeks before showtime, and rallied volunteers from across the island and county to help bring the vision to life.
The Women’s Resource Center team was instrumental in ensuring the Rock ’n’ Support grant process was fast, fair, and compassionate. With strategic leadership from Ashley Brown, President and CEO, and operational oversight by Lillian Elliott, Director of Operations, staff and volunteers worked together to verify eligibility, confirm employment, and maintain an efficient, client-focused workflow. Their collective efforts led to the review of over 800 applications, ensuring swift distribution of funds to hospitality and tourism workers when they needed it most.
“This was truly a team effort,” said Ashley Brown, President and CEO. “Every member of our team approached this initiative with heart and determination, knowing each grant meant stability for a worker and their family. We’re proud to have delivered compassion and efficiency when it mattered most.”
WHEN
Concert Date: November 15, 2024
First Grant Awarded: November 21, 2024
Final Grants Processed: April 7, 2025
Application Portal: Now Closed
Final Impact
837 applications received
781 grants awarded
$355,250 distributed
100 percent of net proceeds returned to hospitality and tourism workers
Eligible applicants received $250 for part-time or $500 for full-time employment. Workers were verified through pay stubs and employer confirmation. Eligibility was based on the location of employment, not residency, to prioritize island-based hospitality operations.
WHERE
Relief grants supported workers employed in:
Anna Maria
Holmes Beach
Bradenton Beach
Longboat Key in Manatee County
The Village of Cortez
WHY
The Gulf Islands hospitality workforce is the heartbeat of our community. When Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck, hundreds of workers lost hours, wages, and in some cases, housing. Rock ’n’ Support moved quickly to help.
John Horne, Chief Executive Oyster of Oysters Rock Hospitality, said it best: “This wasn’t a bake sale…this was big-time help! And every single penny went to the people who needed support as they navigated challenges in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.”
Elliott Falcione, Executive Director of the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, added, “There is no tourism without the people. Supporting them is not charity. It is an investment in our future.”
Chris Culhane, Center of AMI Executive Director, shared, “I remember when the lights went down, the music started, and the crowd roared. I finally felt a sense of relief. This wasn’t just a concert. It was a statement that this community shows up for each other.”
Amanda Harms, Accounts Payable at Oysters Rock Hospitality, reflected, “Every time I processed a check, I thought of the person on the receiving end. These were real lives. Real needs. And we were honored to help.”
Eleni Sokos, Executive Vice President of Oysters Rock Hospitality, said, “When we say we’re a hospitality family, we mean it. This effort showed what’s possible when a community comes together with heart and urgency.”
Veronica Thames, Chief Executive Officer of Manatee Community Foundation, said, “At Manatee Community Foundation, we see firsthand that strong communities are built on relationships. In Manatee County, it was the partnerships between government, philanthropy, and nonprofits that turned shared challenges into meaningful progress during our worst hurricane season on record. From long-term planning to rapid response, it’s this spirit of collaboration that fuels real solutions. We are proud of our partnership with corporate ambassador Oysters Rock Hospitality and the creative efforts of our friends at Shuckin’ Good Cause, with whom we partnered as part of our disaster relief response work this past hurricane season.”
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About Oysters Rock Hospitality
Oysters Rock Hospitality, led by award-winning restaurateurs and philanthropists John and Amanda Horne, is a team of passionate hospitality experts dedicated to creating Five Star Fun experiences for every guest. Our vision of impeccable hospitality is to ensure that everyone at our table knows that they belong.
Our brand portfolio includes the locally beloved Anna Maria Oyster Bars, the reimagined Café on St. Armands, the vibrant Kefi Streetside Café, and our philanthropic arm, Shuckin’ Good Cause, an independent nonprofit which encompasses initiatives like Dive Into Reading, the Employee Relief Fund, and enhances our community through our Pillars of Philanthropy: Education, Heroes, Affiliations, and Quality of Life. Find more information online at OystersRock.net | 941-761-7797
MEDIA CONTACT:
Taylor Escobar
Marketing Coordinator
Taylor@OystersRock.net
941-761-7797 (Office)