Chairman Jean Monestime announces the creation of the South Florida Haiti Relief Group

MIAMI-DADE, FL – In response to the outpouring of support and solidarity after Hurricane Matthew made landfall on Haiti’s southwestern peninsula and the northwestern coast on Oct. 4, Chairman Jean Monestime created the South Florida Haiti Relief Group in order to provide coordinated and transparent relief efforts to Haiti.

Some of the group members are Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness, Palm Beach County Commissioner-elect Mack Bernard, Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam, Miramar Commissioner Darlene B. Riggs, Boynton Beach Commissioner Christina Romulus, Delray Beach Vice Mayor Al Jacquet, North Miami Vice Mayor Alix Desulme, North Miami Councilwoman Carol Keys, North Miami Councilman Phillipe Bien-Aime, retired Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Fire Chief Karls Paul-Noel, Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center; Island TV, and the Haitian Philanthropy Coalition.

Based upon preliminary assessments, the group decided to focus on three areas vital to recovery in the wake of a Category 4 hurricane. These areas are: health, education and small business recovery (primarily farmers and mom and pop operations). The group agreed that Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center will serve as fiscal agent to receive donations in a specially designated account for this relief effort. Sant La is a community-based organization which is trusted for its transparency and accountability. The donation may be made via checks payable to Sant La for South Florida Haiti Relief Group and mailed to 5000 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida 33137 or using a credit card via PayPal through Sant La's website www.santla.org. The mobile giving option is texting the word HAITI to 52000; a $10 fee will be deducted. Sant La will provide a full accounting of funds collected and distributed.

“Please rest assured that your donation is tax-deductible and will be directed exclusively to relief efforts in Haiti,” said Chairman Monestime. “Also, your donation will be distributed to the most accountable organizations working in the most devastated regions of Haiti.”