Former Margaritaville Employee Displaced by Katrina Says Jimmy Buffett Cut Relief Checks Before FEMA: ‘He Took Care of Me’ 

Since Jimmy Buffett's death on Friday night following a four-year battle with skin cancer, tributes have poured in from fellow musicians, celebrities and politicians. Figures such as President Joe Biden and former Beatle Paul McCartney have praised the "Margaritaville" singer not only for his songwriting ability but also his kindness and generosity.

A heartwarming example of Buffett's compassion emerged in a viral X (formerly Twitter) thread posted by filmmaker John Veron yesterday. Veron, a former employee at the New Orleans Margaritaville restaurant owned by Buffett, said that the musician and entrepreneur supported him when he was displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

"A quick story about Jimmy Buffett," Veron wrote. "I worked at the New Orleans Margaritaville in college, up until I graduated in 2006. It was a good job. Busy, and with generally good tips, especially on festival weekends — and New Orleans has a lot of those."

"When my friends and I evacuated Katrina, we didn't think we’d be gone from the city for months, or that we'd lose most of our belongings permanently," he continued. "We packed light, like for a weekend away. In the week after, it became clear that we wouldn't be going home anytime soon."

"I ended up in Austin TX with the clothes on my back and little else. For the next three months, I called FEMA every day to try and get some relief money so I could replace what I'd lost. But you know who didn't make me wait three months? Jimmy Buffett."

"Margaritaville cut us all $3,000 checks immediately after the storm, no questions asked. That money saved lives. They also let employees know that if any of us could get to ANY other Margaritaville, there was a job waiting for us. Some friends went to Orlando," Veron added.

"In Orlando they were set up with clothes (all Margaritaville merch, but it was better than nothing), a job and housing. They even comped their meals when they ate at the restaurant."

"In October, the New Orleans Margaritaville reopened. With little fanfare, Jimmy played a solo acoustic show in the bar to help bring people in," Veron concluded. "Jimmy Buffett showed up for us when we needed it. He took care of me and my friends. I'll always be grateful."

The Messenger has reached out to Veron and Margaritaville for comment.