For Immediate Release:
September 16, 2008

Media Contact:
Suzy Trutie
STRUTIE@miamidade.gov
305-375-1435



Miami-Dade County launches Caribbean Hurricane Relief Drive


(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- 
Compelled by the reports of nations in the Caribbean affected by Hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara J. Jordan authored a resolution to establish a Hurricane Relief Drive for the people of the Caribbean.  Supported by fellow Commissioner Audrey M. Edmonson, the item passed successfully during the September 16, 2008, Board of County Commissioners meeting.  The Hurricane Relief Drive runs through October 17, 2008.  

"My heart breaks when I hear about the devastation caused by the four back-to-back hurricanes in the Caribbean," said Commissioner Jordan of her decision to author the resolution.  "We could not turn our backs on their plight. I am grateful to Mayor Carlos Alvarez and to the Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for getting behind this effort and coordinating the collection of supplies."

"I urge the community to get behind this effort," added Commissioner Audrey M. Edmonson.  "It is a matter of humanity and love for our fellowman." 

Residents are being asked to participate by making monetary donations or dropping off water and non-perishable food items at the following locations:

  • Miami-Dade Fire and Police Stations
    Call Miami-Dade's Answer Center at 3-1-1 or log on to www.miamidade.gov to find the nearest fire or police station. 
  • Commissioner Barbara J. Jordan
    District Office
    2780 NW 167th Street
    Miami, FL 33056
    305-474-3011
  • Commissioner Audrey M. Edmonson
    District Office
    Caleb Center
    5400 NW 22nd Avenue, Suite 701
    Miami, FL 33142
    305-636-2331

People wanting to make monetary donations may do so to the following charity organizations.  Please reference Miami-Dade County Hurricane Relief Drive in the memo section of checks. 

  • American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund
    P.O. Box 37243
    Washington, DC 20013
    1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish)
    www.redcross.org
    *Donors should designate a specific disaster when making a check or credit card donation to the American Red Cross. 
  • Catholic Charities Storm Aid
    Attention: Gloria Luna
    9401 Biscayne Boulevard
    Miami Shores, FL 33138
    305-762-3006
    www.ccadm.org
    *Only checks are being accepted.  See the flyer Adobe PDF  for more information, including churches accepting water, non-perishable food items and clothing.
  • Food For The Poor
    6401 Lyons Road
    Department 9662
    Coconut Creek, FL 33073
    954-427-2222
    www.foodforthepoor.org/hurricane 
    *Also accepting canned food, especially canned meat and fish, and dried beans.
  • Operation Helping Hands
    c/o United Way of Miami-Dade
    P.O. Box # 459007
    Miami, FL 33245-9007
    305-646-7129
    www.unitedwaymiami.org/iwant2help_contribute.asp 
  • World Vision
    Attention: Haiti Relief
    7220 NW 36th Street, Suite 228
    Miami, FL 33166
    1-888-511-6400 (English)
    1-888-511-6404 (Spanish)
    www.firstgiving.com/HaitiRelief
    *Donors should designate Haiti Relief when making a check or credit card donation to World Vision.

For more information, call Miami-Dade's Answer Center at 3-1-1 or log on to www.miamidade.gov.


 

# # #

 

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW 1st Street, 29th Floor Miami, Florida 33128
(305) 375-5071