Greetings!

If you have ever visited Catalina Island, you know me as a crazy, fun-loving tour bus driver whose prime objective is to give my guests the experience of a lifetime. My goal is to simply share my beautiful island with incredible scenery, knowledge about the island, but above all, fun and laughter. I try to give my guests a little of what vacations are all about: the chance to get away from the real world just for a little bit.

During the 20 years that I've had the honor and privilege to live and work here on this paradise known as Catalina Island, I've met wonderful people from all over the world driving tours of the island's interior, city tours of Avalon, and my all-time favorite: the Descanso shuttle. I call it the "Party Bus." You may even have seen me at my night job playing bass guitar in one of my crazy fun Rock 'n' Roll costumes (product of the 1980's) at the world's best dive bar "THE MARLIN CLUB," or at Luau Larry's.

As of March 2020, my work stopped and the island died. Fast forward to July 2021. I was finally preparing to go back to work, and was planning to start the summer driving the DESCANSO PARTY BUS!! My excitement was overwhelming. But when I took my return-to-duty drug test, I tested positive for THC. 

A family member had recommended CBD oil as a great treatment for pain relief, and it was extremely effective. Back in 2004, I developed shingles. Since then I have been dealing with Post Herpetic Neuralgia, permanent nerve damage that causes excruciating pain. During the pandemic lockdown my stress level was through the roof. Stress really causes shingles pain to intensify. Anyway, it turns out there was some THC in the product- according to the drug test people the product is not fully regulated yet. 

I was fired on the spot. After 19 years of faithful service, everything I've worked for, just like that- down the drain. My company controls everything- my income, housing, and health insurance- all gone in a flash.

I made a mistake, and apparently with this company there's no such thing as a second chance. Following the test I recieved a letter from the Department of Transportation outlining what I had to do in order to become requalified to drive passengers again. I spent over $1,300 and completed the program sanctioned by the DOT. They sent copies of the documents which officially qualify me for reinstatement to my employer.

But this was not to be the case. I begged the company to retest me, but they refused. Not only will they not reinstate me in any kind of driving position, but I can't believe they won't even hire me as a bellman at one of our hotels, or even as a barista. I was willing to take any position that was available.

I'm only about 3 or 4 years away from retirement. We've seen the company cut people loose when they get close to retirement in the past so I have my suspicions about that. I trusted that if I did what they said I could return to the job I loved so very, very much. But it seems they were never even considering it. What a waste of time.

So my checking and savings accounts are currently on their last leg for the first time in 18 years, which brings me to the present, doing something that I would never have thought I would have to be doing. The situation is dire. As of yesterday I was officially presented with eviction court papers.

So I am calling out to all my friends, family, fans, and Catalina guests who have ever enjoyed CATALINA FREDDIE'S fun time tours, party bus, DESCANSO Shuttle Musical extravaganza rides, or The Marlin Club's CATALINA CRUISE CONTROL band.

Please help me to buy a little time to acquire employment, housing, and health insurance so i'll be here the next time you come to Catalina and we can share the magic that is Catalina Island. THANK YOU ALL so very much for sharing with me 18 years of the best times of my life ❤It would not have been possible without you. 

Have a  beautiful holiday season, from Catalina Freddie, tour bus driver.