The City of Miami Partners with the US Coast Guard to Deliver Hurricane Supplies to Haiti

MIAMI – 18,000 pounds of hurricane supplies have arrived in Haiti this week to assist residents who are still struggling to recover from this summer’s storms that ravaged the economic stricken island. Haiti has been in dire need of assistance since this summer when four storms hit the island, leaving thousands of people without food, clothing and shelter.

City of Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones met members of the Coast Guard District 7 and the Cutter Northland on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at the Coast Guard Integrated Support Command in Miami before departing to Haiti to deliver hurricane relief supplies to the island. The supplies arrived in Haiti on Tuesday.

“It is extremely gratifying to our personnel to assist City of Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones in providing much needed relief supplies to the citizens of Haiti, said Capt. Robert Grant, Coast Guard Seventh District deputy chief of staff. “While supporting such a relief effort is so very important anytime of the year, the approaching holiday season only adds to the significance.”

This recent shipment to Haiti is part of “Operation: Hope for Haiti”, a hurricane relief project created by the City of Miami in partnership with Miami Dade County. Back in September, Commissioner Spence-Jones led a delegation of 20 to Haiti to deliver nearly 50,000 pounds of donated food and water to the communities most affected. Since then the City of Miami, has delivered two more shipments of hurricane supplies to Haiti. A total of 120,080 pounds of hurricane supplies have been delivered to Haiti as part of “Operation Hope for Haiti”.

“After visually seeing the pictures of the severe devastation in Haiti and hearing about the conditions from my constituents, I knew we had to do something.” said Commissioner Spence-Jones.

Hurricane supplies were collected at all City of Miami Fire Stations and at the Little Haiti NET office. The City of Miami also joined forces with Dolphin Stadium, the Florida Marlins, Miami Dolphins and the Miami Hurricanes to collect food and clothing at their sporting events.

The City of Miami also partnered with international relief organization, World Vision. With the help of World Vision, The City of Miami has raised close to $60,000 leveraging its contribution to close to $180,000 with the 3:1 match.

(Left to Right): Captain Robert C. Grant of the US Coast Guard, Village of El Portal Mayor Mariette Saint Vil, City of Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, Loni Lawrence from the Office of Congressman Kendrick Meek, City of North Miami Councilman Jacques Despinosse, Tracy Lozama from the Office of Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones joined the members of Coast Guard District 7 in Miami and the Cutter Northland of Portsmouth,Va., at the Coast Guard Integrated Support Command in Miami before departing to Haiti to deliver 18,000 pounds of hurricane relief supplies to Haiti.

“I am extremely proud of all of the City of Miami residents who responded to the call for help,” said Mayor Manny Diaz. “Thousands of people in our neighboring island will benefit from the generosity of our community.”

This last shipment to Haiti end’s the city’s hurricane relief project in Haiti; however donations are still being accepted by World Vision. If you would like to make a financial contribution to World Vision’s relief efforts in Haiti:

· Call: 1-888-511-6400 (English) or 1-888-511-6404 (Spanish)

· Online: www.firstgiving.com/haitirelief

· Mail: World Vision, Attn: Haiti Relief, 7220 NW 36th Street, Suite 228, Miami, FL 33166. Please make all checks payable to “World Vision.”