Commissioner Diaz honors those who helped Guatemala volcano victims

Commissioner Diaz, center, honors those who helped with the recent relief efforts to Guatemala volcano victims.
(Photos by Ryan Holloway / Miami-Dade County)

MIAMI-DADE – Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Díaz recently recognized all those who participated in his efforts to collect and deliver relief to victims of the recent volcano eruption in Guatemala.

More than 20 pallets full of goods including canned goods collected and delivered from Miami-Dade to Guatemala volcano victims.

At the July 24 County Commission meeting, Commissioner Diaz honored the individuals, companies and government entities who assisted in the relief campaign, including FedEx, which delivered the donations to Guatemala for free on June 16. Guatemala's Association of Volunteers Firefighters received the goods and distributed them directly to victims.

Eduardo Utset, FedEx Managing Director Divisional Controller and Chairman of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee; and Virginia Sanchez, is FedEx's Latin American Government Affairs Advisor, accepted a proclamation from Commissioner Diaz.

Commissioner Diaz also presented certificates of appreciation to Alejandro Carlos Mencos of DEKA Trading Corp., Dr. Federico Cruz Golich of Guatemala’s Association of Volunteers Firefighters, Walmart, Argeo Tamayo of Home Depot Store # 6343, President Omar Blanco of Miami-Dade Metro Local 1403, Miami-Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey, Coral Gables Fire Chief Marcos De La Rosa, Miami Beach Fire Chief Virgil Fernandez, Miami Beach Commissioner John Aleman, and Key Largo Fire Captain David Garrido for donating firefighter gear that included boots, helmets and jackets .

Dr. Federico Cruz Golich of Guatemala's Association of Volunteers Firefighters in turn surprised Commissioner Diaz by presenting him with a plaque acknowledging him for his leadership in helping Guatemala firefighters and the people of Guatemala.

Commissioner Diaz, right, accepts an award from Dr. Federico Cruz Golich of Guatemala's Association of Volunteers Firefighters acknowledging him for his leadership in helping Guatemala firefighters and the people of Guatemala.