INDIAN SHORES — Without asking a soul for help, Katrena Hale’s friends and neighbors stepped up after last year’s devastating hurricanes. Hale didn’t realize it at the time she surveyed the extensive damage to both her home and business in Indian Shores, but an army of angels was gathering to save the day.
Hale’s six-unit boutique beachfront resort, Sand Glo Villas at 19316 Gulf Blvd., was built in 1932. The charming property had been Hale’s since July 2000, and she delighted in welcoming guests for the 24 years prior to hurricanes Helene and Milton blowing through. The building was still standing, but 3 to 4 feet of water damage ruined the furnishings, appliances, and stripped flooring down to the floor joist, followed by sand that was everywhere and had pushed down some walls with tremendous force, blocking entrances like concrete.
According to Hale, before the bridges were back open, Knute Heirman of PSI Concrete called her to say he was on the way, “I have an ‘Amish’ work crew; we’ll dig you out.”
Heirman brought along five volunteer workers with shovels, and they dug out the sand, so Hale had access to the rooms.
What goes around comes around. Joshua Otto, once a lonely kid from Madeira Beach who had been befriended by Hale, called her to say he had a bobcat and bucket truck to help with moving the massive sand piles.
“You were like a mom to me,” said Otto. “You were always there for me.”
This time, Otto was there for her. Otto, now a father himself, is the owner of Otto’s Tree Service.
“There were two times I cried, and this was one of them,” said Hale, so touched by Otto’s gesture.
Tim Snelgrove of Checkerboard Realty and Sam Becchetti of Key Renter St. Pete partnered to do a crawfish boil, donations from which replaced the linoleum in one unit’s kitchen.
“Real estate and mortgage people usually in competition with one another just got together and did the right thing,” said Hale.
A fundraiser was the brainchild of couple Cara and Matt Keelin. Cara was a real estate broker with Inspired Nooks Realty and Matt handled mortgages with Capital City Home Loans. They sold tickets to a “wings and wine” outdoor event that helped replace furniture at Hale’s resort. Frank Chivas of Salt Rock Grill provided the Salt Rock parking lot to hold the event.
Tim Housdan, who works with Leader One Financial, brought over large fans to the resort to dry things out. Housdan put out an email to affiliates in the Pinellas-Hillsborough area, asking for helpers to shovel sand, and carry trash and damaged furnishings out.
“Eleven volunteers came including nine real estate folks, and Erika Oliver of My Salon Suites, and Alisha Caballero of Sparkl Christmas Lights Pro,” he said.
Teresa Yerba, who has worked for Hale for 24 years, came with her husband Marco to provide food for Hale. “There was enough that I was able to share with my neighbors,” said Hale. “And that was the second time I cried through all this.”
Hale’s niece, Emily Hale, and her fiancé, Kameron Wong, kayaked back and forth a number of times to help provide laundry service to Hale.
While her home was not habitable, her friends Liz Barrett of Lizard Realty and David Sferrazza, a Realtor, each housed her in spare properties they owned.
Carol Brawner of Bronze Lady Furnishings worked with Hale on orders, delivery and pricing in advance of Hale paying for it. Republic Bank volunteered to help delay her mortgage payment and worked with her on how to best manage the insurance monies. Largo and Seminole Home Depots also received a shout-out from Hale for the extra help they offered. Even people who had been regular guests at the resort sent money to help.
The town of Indian Shores was there for her too, she said. “The Building Department helped me make good decisions regarding repairs,” said Hale. “The town acted as a partner, and staff was available when I needed them.”
Even former mayor Pat Soranno and his wife, Barbara, pitched in. “Whenever Barbara found furnishings she thought would look good in here (at the resort), she helped get them here,” said Hale.
There were people she didn’t even know who showed up to help, and others there was not enough space to acknowledge. Hale is grateful for all the help she received. “It was very humbling,” said Hale.
Hale is not one to ask for help, attributing her reluctance to accept assistance to her Scotch-Irish heritage. A friend told her when the cleanup started, “Accept the help; don’t block the blessing (to you) that can help somebody else (later on).”
Sand Glo Villas was closed an entire year from September 2024 until September 2025.
“It was a great moment when I put the vacancy sign up again,” said Hale.