Miami-Dade County Collects Thousands for Survivors, Helps Hundreds in County’s Haitian Community and More
MIAMI – Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez and the Board of County Commissioners will make a special presentation to Food for the Poor, the American Red Cross and Catholic Charities of the more than $300,000 raised by County employees, through the generous donation of vacation or holiday time, and various fundraisers, on Tuesday, April 6, at 10 a.m. at Commission Chambers. At this time, officials will also reflect on Haiti relief efforts.
“From the very beginning, the County played a key role not only in helping the people of Haiti but our own Haitian community,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez. “Within a few short hours emergency responders from Miami-Dade County were prepared to assist in the massive relief effort.”
Haiti Information Centers, managed by the Department of Human Services, assisted almost 500 people; many of whom were able to contact family members on the island, allaying their fears and concerns. Within 24 hours of the disaster, free long distance to Haiti was available at the Edison Little River Neighborhood Center thanks to Comcast. Shortly after the opening of Edison’s Haiti Information Center, the same telephone services were available at the Haitian American Senior Center and Homestead City Hall thanks to AT&T.
At these Centers, the Department of Children and Families, South Florida Workforce and Legal Aid of Miami provided services such as grief counseling, assistance completing the Temporary Protective Status forms, referrals to social service agencies and assistance with job search. Because clients visiting the Haiti Information Centers have declined, these will close on April 16, 2010.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Audrey M. Edmonson, whom Commission Chairman Dennis C. Moss appointed to lead the relief effort, said, “Every time one of our neighbors is impacted by disasters, Miami-Dade County has always answered the call for help. Faced with this horrendous catastrophe in Haiti, we again rose to the challenge. Though our commitment will continue, I want to thank the Miami-Dade County family for the heartfelt generosity it has already shown.”
Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to donate County surplus property to aid in the international response to the earthquake. They also voted to discount vessel and/or cargo carrying humanitarian relief and supplies bound for Haiti at Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami.
Together with Food for the Poor, Project Medishare, the Miami Heat, and Christ Fellowship, the County provided transportation to and distribution of the donated goods to Haiti to ensure efficient delivery. Over 265 tons of items such as food, water, baby and medical supplies, toiletries and other relief supplies have been packaged and shipped to Haiti with the support of County partners, volunteers and employees.
“County employees didn’t hesitate in volunteering their time and donating earned annual or holiday time to help earthquake victims in Haiti,” said County Manager George M. Burgess. “The immediate and generous outpouring of support was heart-warming.”
Employees donated more than $229,120 to the County’s Emergency Disaster Relief Fund through leave donations. In turn, these funds were donated to the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities and/or Food for the Poor. Special events like the Pro Bowl ticket raffle, bake sales, breakfast sales, etc. raised over $17,450. The International Trade Consortium transferred $1,000 from their Sister Cities Trust Fund to these three agencies for Haiti relief. The Board Chairman and some Commissioners donated another $66,000 to these three agencies, including a $5,000 donation to Doctors Without Borders. An additional $2,600 of goods purchased by employees through their fund raising efforts, were delivered directly to either the American Red Cross or agencies that sent the donations directly to Haiti.
Relief efforts supported by many County departments, and coordinated by the Department of Emergency Management, included providing support at Homestead Air Reserve Base and Miami International Airport to assist the Federal Government in the safe return of more than 9,500 U.S. Citizens from Haiti following the earthquake.
“When trying to save lives and help survivors of a disaster, the success of Miami-Dade’s efforts lies in the expedient and efficient support provided by County departments and our various community partners,” said Director of Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management Curt Sommerhoff. “I think our Haiti Relief efforts were a great success.”
In the case of the earthquake disaster in Haiti, the County’s Emergency Management coordinated efforts with various County Departments including Fire Rescue, Police, General Services Administration, Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami; as well as with the Department of Children and Families, American Red Cross, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida’s Division of Emergency Management and other local, state and federal agencies.
