Jim Martin medical fundraiser March 1 at Perdido Sports Bar
Jim Martin medical fundraiser March 1 at Perdido Sports Bar
A Jim Martin Medical fundraiser fish fry will be held on Sunday March 1 at the Perdido Key Sports Bar from 11-4; Pick up or Dine In; Events include an art raffle and 50/50. More info: 850-777-1115.
By Tracy Poston
If you’ve spent any time in Perdido Key, you’ve probably seen him. If you have ever eaten at Character’s, the Reef, or the Sports Bar, he’s probably cooked for you. If you ever heard a new language (Jiminese) spoken by a man with a Miller Lite and a moustache, you may have sat next to him. And if you have ever heard someone excitedly exclaim, “AIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEE” after sitting quietly in what he calls observation mode, then you know I’m talking about Jim Martin. Also known as Jaime Martinez and Jimmy, he is a local Perdido Key legend. A staple of our little village community, he would zip around in his little sports car convertible with a huge smile on his face, excitedly considering his next conversation with the gang at Thirsty Thursday, the next win for the Saints, or anticipating the draw of the best number for the weekly NASCAR pool. But Jim had to hit pause on his idyllic Key lifestyle. He has hit a speed bump known as cancer. Jim will be undergoing a 14.5 hour surgery at Keesler AFB in Biloxi to remove a tumor on the back wall of his esophagus in the next few weeks. It will require 10 days in ICU and 2 weeks of rehab. He will have to rebuild his voice box, but will not lose his speech nor ability to eat. His doctor seems very confident. During his three plus week stay, his daughter, Karsen, will be staying with him in Biloxi, and his grandson, Cody, will also spend a week there. This will cause a financial hardship for them both due to missing extensive amounts of work. Any money we can raise to help support them and ease this burden would be greatly appreciated. It all adds up and no amount is too small. It is what our village does. We rally when a member is down and out. We graciously support each other. We humbly reach out for help from others during hard times. You can donate here on this GoFundMe campaign. All funds raised will be given directly to Karsen to be used as needed. Please consider giving if you are able and share this campaign on social media to help spread the word. Also keep your eyes open for a community fundraiser that will be happening on the Key soon. More details on this to follow. There will also be a giant cancer-beating celebration to follow when Jim is up to it, so get ready to raise a glass with him when he will enjoy a big ole cheeseburger to be washed down by a Miller Lite.