Miami, FL - City of Miami Mayor, Manny Diaz and Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, District 5, joined by other members of the Commission and community leaders today urged residents to contribute to relief efforts to assist hurricane victims in the Caribbean.

“Our community must reach out to help our neighbors in their time of need,” said Mayor Manny Diaz. “We call upon our residents to reach into their hearts and their wallets and do what is right.”

Several Caribbean nations have been affected by Hurricane Ike, as well as Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna over the last three weeks, leaving thousands of people in dire need of food, clothing and emergency assistance. 

Hurricane Ike plowed through the Caribbean leaving a trail of devastation. Haiti was severely affected, where four storms in three weeks have killed more than 600 people and left hundreds of thousands in desperate need of food, clean water and shelter, according to official reports. 

Other islands, such as the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, the Dominican Republic and Cuba were also hit by the storm, with their residents suffering injuries and extensive damage.

The City of Miami has partnered with Catholic Charities and the Red Cross, as well as Miami Dade College, the University of Miami, and other community organizations in their efforts to collect aid and supplies to be sent to affected islands in the Caribbean. Catholic Charities and the Red Cross are encouraging mainly monetary donations in to assist in their relief efforts.

Last week, the City of Miami joined forces with Miami-Dade County, local sports franchises and universities in South Florida to collect food and clothing for hurricane victims in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The food and clothing drive entitled “Operation: Hope for Haiti” kicked off at this past Sunday’s Miami Dolphins football game against the New York Jets, where an overwhelming amount of food and clothing was collected.

To assist with the efforts, the City of Miami has partnered with the Dolphins Stadium, Miami Dolphins, Miami Marlins and the Miami Hurricanes to collect food and clothing to aide victims affected on the island. Food and clothing drops are located at all City of Miami Fire Stations and various Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) offices throughout the City.

Below please find information on all of the relief efforts:

•  Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami
Financial collection in all parishes/missions on the wekend of September 28th. Catholic Charities will only be accepting financial donations.  Donations can be made on line via a secure internet site by accessing http://www.ccadm.org/ clicking on Donate Now, followed by designating the amount to be contributed and the donation option. Checks can be mailed to:
Catholic Charities
Storm Aid
9401 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami Shores, FL 33138

• Collection of food and clothing for Haitian Relief will only be accepted at the following locations:

St. James Catholic Church
540 NW 132nd St.
N. Miami, 33168

Holy Family Catholic Church
14500 NE 11th Ave.
Miami, 33161

Notre Dame DHaiti Mission
110 NE 62nd St.
Miami, 33138

St. Joseph Haitian Mission
1210 NW 6th Ave.
Pompano Beach, 33060

•  American Red Cross
The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at http://www.redcross.org/.
https://american.redcross.org/
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
American Red Cross
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, D.C. 20013

• Miami Dade College
The College has set up a collection drive at 8 MDC campuses, in conjunction with the Red Cross.

• Operation: Hope for Haiti
Operation Hope for Haiti will continue through September 19, 2008.  Food and clothing drops are located at all City of Miami Fire Stations and various Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) offices throughout the City.

Residents are encouraged to donate non-perishable items, water, medicine and clothing.

In addition to donating items at the City of Miami Fire-Rescue Stations and NET offices, Miami Dolphins, Marlins and Hurricane Fans can donate food and clothing at the Dolphin Stadium during game time.