Safe Harbor Seafood Market will host a fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, to support Capt. Doug Jones, a longtime member of the Mayport shrimping community.
Jones is undergoing chemotherapy for Stage 4 colon cancer and has been unable to shrimp since selling the family boat during treatment. His wife, Nancy, a longtime employee at Safe Harbor Seafood Market, now serves as the family's sole source of income. The Jones family's roots in Mayport's shrimping industry span generations.
"I've been working out here in Mayport for 35 years. Captain Doug's family has been here for generations," said organizer Chris Wooten, owner of Safe Harbor Seafood Market, 4371 Ocean St. "We have a tight-knit crew out here at Safe Harbor, and when one of our own is in need, we step up. That's what we've always done."
The fundraiser will feature grilled sausage, homemade pound cake, Saipan-style sushi, cookies, chips, drinks and memorabilia from former Safe Harbor restaurants. Proceeds from a special shrimp sale also will benefit the Jones family.
"Our fundraiser is something our staff wanted to do for Captain Doug and Nancy," Wooten said. "Our staff is baking items at home to bring Saturday, and we're also pulling small nautical pieces, artwork and other memorabilia out of storage from our restaurants to sell."
Shrimping once provided a significant portion of the family's income, but after selling the boat, they now rely entirely on Nancy's paycheck. Jones is undergoing chemotherapy that requires frequent trips for treatment, and the cost of co-pays, fuel and other medical expenses has created a growing financial burden.
"Over the years, his boat has been tied up at different docks in Mayport, including here at Safe Harbor," Wooten said. "After Captain Doug sold his boat, the family lost that source of income. Nancy also has to miss work frequently to take Doug to his appointments."
Wooten said the fundraiser reflects the close bonds that have long defined the Mayport fishing community.
"Mayport is a very close-knit community with a rich history, and many of the families here are synonymous with shrimping and fishing," he said. "Doug and Nancy have both been part of the Safe Harbor family for a long time."
Proceeds from the fundraiser will help offset mounting medical bills, transportation costs and everyday living expenses, allowing the family to focus on Jones' treatment and recovery.
An online fundraiser also is available at https://gofund.me/cd10c0474 for those unable to attend Saturday's event. To date, it raised nearly $2,000 toward the $6,500 goal. Donation jars have been placed at the registers in both the Safe Harbor Seafood Market and restaurant in Mayport.
"The response has been very encouraging," Wooten said. "We have a great community and great customers, and we look forward to welcoming everyone Saturday."
