Today we’d like to introduce you to Cayti Brinegar.
Cayti, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Seawolf Privateers really began with my husband, Timothy, and I asking one simple question: how can we give back together in a way that truly matters?
Timothy and I have been married almost five years, and service has always been part of both of our lives. Timothy had been a foster dad for many years and later became an adoptive father, giving him a deep understanding of the challenges foster families face. He had seen firsthand how emotionally, financially, and mentally demanding foster care can be, and how little support many families receive. At the same time, he has always had a love for pirate history and adventure. For years, as a hobby, he dressed in full pirate garb and interacted with tourists and visitors in St. Augustine, educating, entertaining, and bringing a sense of wonder and joy to those around him.
When we met, I was volunteering as the Executive Director of a local women’s transition house. That work was meaningful and deeply connected to my faith and my belief in the power of community, but it was not a place where Timothy could volunteer alongside me. After I stepped down from that role, we intentionally took time to pray, reflect, and talk through how we could serve our community together in a way that felt authentic to both of us.
We kept coming back to foster care. Timothy knew how much foster parents struggle and how quickly burnout can happen when families feel unsupported. Nationally, the average length of time a parent remains a foster parent is just one year, largely due to a lack of resources and community support. That statistic stayed with us, and we felt called to do something that could positively impact that number. We did not want to just help children in isolated moments. We wanted to strengthen the entire family unit so foster parents could keep going and children could feel safe, supported, and loved.
As we began dreaming about what that support could look like, the idea of blending service with imagination naturally emerged. Why not use the world of pirates and mermaids, fantasy, adventure, and storytelling, to create joy for children who are walking through some of the hardest moments of their lives? What child does not light up when pirates and mermaids show up? If we could add smiles, a sense of normalcy, and moments of fun, while also raising funds and providing tangible support for families, it felt like a win-win.
That vision became Seawolf Privateers in 2021.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When people ask about the obstacles or challenges we have faced, I often say that we have been incredibly fortunate. From the very beginning, we have been surrounded by a strong group of people who genuinely love what we do and care deeply about the children and families we serve. That support has been a constant source of encouragement.
If I had to name our biggest challenge, it would be capacity and visibility. As Seawolf Privateers has grown, so have the needs of the families we support. We currently have a strong and committed board, but expanding our programs and reaching more families requires more volunteers stepping forward and more sponsors coming alongside us. Growth is always tied to people, and we are always hoping to bring new hearts and hands into the mission.
Another ongoing challenge is simply getting the word out. Our signature fundraisers are our murder mystery dinner shows, which are written and directed by me and are our most important source of income for the organization. Each show is a full experience, with a live performance put on by a cast of dedicated volunteers, a meal, a silent auction, and games of chance throughout the evening. Our volunteers work incredibly hard to prepare for these shows, and they are truly fun, engaging nights for our guests.
Because we do not have a large advertising budget, promoting these events can be stressful. We rely heavily on social media, word of mouth, and the generosity of people choosing to share our events with others. Ticket sales are always a challenge, not because the shows are not enjoyable, but because reaching new audiences without paid advertising takes time and consistent effort. Encouraging people to join our mailing list, follow our Facebook page, and help spread the word has become one of the most important ways our community can support us.
We see these challenges not as setbacks, but as growing pains. Every new volunteer, every shared post, and every sold seat allows us to continue providing support to foster and displaced children. The obstacles remind us that this work is bigger than any one person and that community involvement is what truly keeps Seawolf Privateers moving forward.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What I am most proud of is that Seawolf Privateers has been successful. People believe in what we are doing. Volunteers keep showing up. Sponsors come alongside us. Families trust us. And most importantly, we have been able to make a real impact in the lives of children and foster families in our community. That means everything to me.
The heart of Seawolf Privateers is about showing up in the moments that matter most. When a child enters foster care, they often arrive with very little. One of the first things we do is provide placement essentials within 24 hours, so children have the basic items they need right away and foster parents are not carrying that burden alone. We also support families during the holidays through food distributions, helping ensure they can gather around a table and feel some sense of normalcy during what can be a stressful time.
We host free children’s events throughout the year designed specifically for foster and displaced families. These events allow separated siblings to reconnect, give children a safe place to play, and give families the chance to simply enjoy a day together without financial pressure. Every event includes a meal, hands-on activities, and items for children to take home, because we want the experience to last beyond the day itself.
One of the things closest to my heart is making sure children feel celebrated. Through our birthday bundles, we help make foster children’s birthdays feel special, even when circumstances are hard. During Christmas, we provide gifts to children so they can experience the joy of the season and feel remembered.
Stories are a huge part of what we do. I have written the Seawolf Privateers Adventure Books, which are given to every child who attends our events, not just foster children. These books help children see themselves as part of the crew and carry that sense of belonging home with them. We also bring stories to life through our Captain’s Cabin Storytime on YouTube, where children can continue to connect with familiar characters and voices in between events.
What truly sets us apart is how we meet children where they are emotionally. Many of the children we serve are going through an incredibly difficult time. Most come from situations involving neglect or abuse and are suddenly living with strangers, which is a huge adjustment for everyone involved. When children encounter us as pirates, something shifts. The costumes and fantasy environment help lower their guard. They become more playful, more relaxed, and more willing to engage and open up.
All of our games and events are pirate-themed and designed to encourage connection, teamwork, and a sense of belonging. We even have an interactive 34-foot pirate ship that children can climb aboard and explore. They can take the helm and steer the ship’s wheel, look through a telescope, ring the bell, and interact with tablets that teach about pirate life and working together as a family. There is also a storytime area with headphones where children can listen to an audio adventure with the Seawolf Privateers, giving them a quiet space to imagine, rest, and feel safe.
I think legacy is important. We did not start this just for the moment we are in now. We hope Seawolf Privateers will continue long after Timothy and I are gone, still serving children, still supporting families, and still bringing joy and normalcy into hard situations. I have always believed that God sets you on a path, and I truly know in my heart that this is the path He laid out for Timothy and me together.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I would not describe myself as a big risk-taker, especially financially. I was a single mother to three girls for eighteen years, and during that time, risk simply was not an option. I was a budget-conscious, penny-pinching mom because I had to be. I could not afford to gamble or make decisions that might put my family at risk, so I learned early on to be careful, practical, and thoughtful about every choice I made.
That said, I do believe in stepping outside of your comfort zone when you feel led to do so. For me, risk is less about money and more about vulnerability and growth. One moment that really stands out happened the first time Timothy took me to The Pirate Store in St. Augustine and asked me to try on authentic pirate garb. I have never been someone who enjoys being noticed or standing out, so I was fairly sure this was not going to be my thing.
But then Captain Skar, the owner, and Timothy started pulling pieces together and encouraged me to try them on as a full ensemble. I can honestly say I had a Cinderella moment. There is something about the way a corset gives you a shape you never knew you had that can completely change how you see yourself. From that moment on, becoming Lady Catherine felt fun instead of intimidating.
Since then, wearing pirate garb has become something I genuinely enjoy. Timothy and I will even go out on date nights dressed in garb. It is such an easy way to start conversations with strangers, and those conversations almost always lead to talking about Seawolf Privateers and the children we serve. In a way, stepping into that role opened doors I never expected. Being a privateer gives people permission to engage, ask questions, and connect.
Pricing:
- Seawolf Privateers Adventure Book Series is available on the website and Amazon. Books are $12.99
- Murder Mystery Dinner Show tickets are $55 for Early Bird, and $60 for Regular tickets for our April 23-25 show.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.seawolfprivateers.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlaglerPirates/
