Some of you may know my store co-worker, Vikki & may even experienced her Tarot Card reading & blessing at our recent All Hallows Eve. Her husband is a veteran & has been quite ill for the past year & she has assumed much of his care at home which means she is unable to work. They would like to attend the Winter White Ball in January but cannot spare the $200 for tickets. Anyone willing to contribute with me so they could join us? I know they would be most grateful 🥰

Thank you Roger & Kathy for the beautiful holiday party & opening your home & hearts to all of us!!! The inclusion of our most recent grant recipient as well as the couple from The Royal Family made the evening even more special! Thank you also for generously allowing us to use The Black Pearl for the parade! To have extra swag available along the parade route as well as on option for krewe mates to ride instead of walk was very convenient!!! We are so very fortunate for your leadership, support, generosity & love!!! Merry Christmas to you both!!!♥️♥️♥️♥️

Hi Phyllis,  It was lovely speaking with you this evening. My husband and I sat down to discuss what you and I spoke about on the phone. After looking over what we already know about my husband's treatment plan going forward, granted everything works out as we hope and he recovers well, we estimate he would be back to work by the first week of November. This is in the instance that he has no side effects from chemo and does not need the secondary surgery to remove his lymph nodes. The doctor estimated a rough total of 5-6 months of treatment all together with 3-4 cycles of chemo.  I will be returning to work either in the office or remotely on 8/7.  During this time we are mostly in need of assistance with our mortgage and my husband's car payment. As I explained on the phone we were hit with the unexpected news that our mortgage has increased over $500. It would be a godsend to have the negative balance paid in order to put our escrow account back into good standing and bring our mortgage down a little bit more. The balance due is $6,959.29.  I am also seeking help paying our monthly mortgage payment, which is currently $1,897.03 with the increase that was implemented.  The final thing we are needing help with is my husband's car payment, which is $599.97. With our current situation we have discussed the possibility of selling or trading the car to help us, but we are hoping to avoid that outcome if at all possible.  We are deeply appreciative for any help we receive, this entire situation caught us completely by surprise and although we have worked through some of the bumps in the road, we still have many unknowns ahead of us.  I look forward to speaking with you again tomorrow. Thank you,  -Ariel

Dear Krewe Mates & Officers, Thank you all again for your willingness to support this family in dire need. They are all well & looking forward to being united soon as a family under one roof! Homelessness is a very complex problem which is even more difficult in this area as well as our surrounding communities with very limited affordable options for so many working people. Amanda had found a home that was perfect for her family & just prior to signing a contract the owner backed out of their agreement. In an ironic twist of fate, hurricane Ian dropped a large tree limb on that house causing damage that would have been another tragedy for this family. Her car required unexpected repairs approximately 1 month ago which she was able to take care so she could continue to work. Her children continue to stay in the homes of classmate families while she & sometimes her son, stay in the home of Vikki (Pirate Store) & her husband John. This past Tuesday Amanda found another home, completed all applications & is awaiting the results of background checks, which she's previously passed. She is so very hopeful to be approved, get moved in & have her family all together again. She is grateful for our support & patience. I will update you all on her situation as it changes.

Fellow Krewe Mates, In an effort to create an organized strategy of fundraising activities please notify me at phyllis.van.order@kreweofthe13.org of any planned or actual communication you have with donors, sponsors and/or potential donors/sponsors. I am maintaining a list to aid us and to avoid multiple contacts to individuals and businesses. Also please share any ideas including contacts for any potential donors you may know so that our krewe public relations team may reach out to them. We look forward to growing the funds we have available to help those in dire need as well as increasing community awareness of the great work we are doing. In gratitude and with best intentions,

Ahoy. Mates!, Swabbie Carolanne has secured an invitation for krewe members to join St. John's Chamber of Commerce in a robbon cutting ceremony for the new St. Augustine Costco located at 655 World Commerce Parkway. The ceremony will be at 7:30 AM Wednesday August 3, 2022. Please plan to arrive in full garb by 7:15 AM for this great opportunity to welcome Costco to our community. Respond to this message IF you plan to attend by 7/31/22 so Carolanne can coordinate with her chamber contacts. Thank you. Carolanne for this opportunity! Phyllis Van Order

Good morning, Krewe!, Sarah Fall is quite ill & currently hospitalized at Mayo Hospital in Jacksonville room 734. Please keep Sarah in your thoughts & prayers for hope & healing❤😊☠ Phyllis Van Order

Palatka Loves Pirates! Calling all area Pirates/Mermaids! Once again the City of Palatka and the local American Legion have invited the pirates to participate in their Veterans’ Day Parade. We were the hit of the last parade! (Really. People still stop me on the street to acknowledge the pirates!) Date - Tuesday, 11/11/21. (It’s a national holiday!) Time - staging at 9:00 .m on 11th St parade starts at 10:00 am. Same route as before - east on St. Johns Avenue to the Riverfront. Anyone interested? I need to let the organizers know approximate numbers and vehicles. Grumpy and I will be bringing Rosebud and Compass Rose. Also - Anyone interested in the Palatka Christmas Parade? Friday, November 26, at night. It's absolutely stunning under the holliday lights!

I would like to create a MeetUp group for individuals in the community who might have an interest in joining a pirate krewe. I believe this could be an effective way to reach a diverse group of potential new swabbies. I am willing to set up the group, host regular opportunities for individuals to participate, communicate activities with krewe leaders & guide appropriate potential members in the process for pursuing their interest. Is this an acceptable activity for me to engage in??? Phyllis VanOrder