ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A First Coast community is rallying to financially support people who are suddenly not getting paychecks.
Employees and club members say the Serenata Beach Club in St. Johns County has not been paying staff for weeks, since the club closed.
"It’s been disheartening to say the least. It was so abrupt," Greg Hagerman said. He is... or was... a member of the Serenata Beach Club. It's a private club on South Ponte Vedra Beach.
When he heard it all-of-a-sudden closed last month, he started hearing that the employees had not been been getting paid.
"Some of them just said that they hadn’t been paid for a couple of weeks. And it's varying numbers of weeks. Not all the employees have the exact same story," Hagerman said.
One employee told First Coast News it’s now been four weeks since employees have been paid.
Feeling bad for them, Hagerman started a Go Fund Me page, raising money to help financially support the employees. As of Wednesday evening, more than $6,000 had been donated.
"They're like family to us," Hagerman said. "We've been around for five years, and they've been there. We go over there quite a bit. You know, they're their pool attendants, towel attendants, maintenance guys, the gym attendants."
According to some employees and people who know employees, the folks who are no longer receiving pay checks range. Some are in their 20’s. Some are almost retirement age. Some of them are single parents. Some of them are taking care of their parents.
"We’ve got several funds distributed already," Hagerman said. "We’re helping people pay the rent, we’re helping them pay utilities, keep the lights on, and so on and so forth. So it’s working. And it’s already being done."
There is a sign at the club’s front door which states the club is closed until further notice. The owner sent a note to club members, citing financial troubles. First Coast News has reached out to the owner and club. We have not heard back.
For now, the former club employees are getting some support from the very people who they used to serve drinks to and set up umbrellas for.