For Immediate Release:
 October 06, 2009

Media Contact:
Olga Vega
OlgaV@miamidade.gov
 786-258-1635



County employees donate more than $25,000 to organization aiding children whose parents have been deported

Vice-Chairman Jose “Pepe” Diaz to present check on October 8, 2009 at County Hall

 


(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- A local organization dedicated to helping children left behind when their parents are deported will receive a generous donation from Miami-Dade County employees. On Thursday, October 8, 2009 at County Hall's Commission Chambers, Vice-Chairman Jose "Pepe" Diaz and his colleagues will present a check to Nora Sandigo, executive director of American Fraternity. County employees donated more than $25,000 to be used to care for the hundreds of children Sandigo represents. After taxes, the final amount that will go to American Fraternity is $17,548.90. The donations came as the result of a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Diaz earlier this year.

"Even during these economic times, Miami-Dade County Employees came through and gave to someone less fortunate," said Commissioner Diaz. "I am grateful to all Miami-Dade County employees for their contribution to this very important cause and I personally thank each employee for their donation."

On June 2, 2009, the Miami-Dade Board County Commission approved a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Diaz allowing County employees to contribute the value of their accrued annual and holiday leave to American Fraternity, Inc., an organization that assists U.S.-born children left orphaned when their parents are deported. In addition, the legislation also directed the Mayor to work with the United Way to create a means of allowing County employees to sponsor individual children by making payroll deduction contributions.

American Fraternity represents 600 children across the nation whose parents may be deported or who have already left the country; over 400 of those children reside within Miami-Dade County. Sandigo approached the County Commission this past May, asking commissioners for assistance in providing the children she represents food, shelter, health care, and social services.

For more information, please contact Commissioner Diaz's office at 305-599-1200.
 
Who: Miami-Dade County Vice-Chairman Jose “Pepe” Diaz and Colleagues Nora Sandigo, American Fraternity Executive Director

What:Presentation of more than $25,000 in County employee contributions to American Fraternity

When: October 08, 2009, 9:00 a.m.

Where:Stephen P. Clark Center Commission Chambers (2nd Floor) 111 NW 1st Street, Miami


 

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MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSIONER JOSE PEPE DIAZ DISTRICT 12
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW 1st Street, Suite 320 Miami, Florida 33128
(305) 375-4343

 

It is the policy of Miami Dade County to comply with all of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The facility is accessible. For sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices or materials in accessible format, please call 305-599-1200 at least five days in advance.