Hurricane relief supply drive spans Miami-Dade, Broward this week
DORAL - Tens of thousands of people are now struggling with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Ian on Florida's western coast.
That's why there is a massive relief effort underway here in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
This week there will be a collection drive from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in the parking lot at Dolphin Mall, then 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Shops of Pembroke Gardens in Pembroke Pines.
CBS4 talked with several people who stopped by the Dolphin Mall on Monday to donate.
"They are human like us they really need a lot, a lot, a lot of help," Edith Izquierdo said.
Izquierdo held back tears as she spoke about why she came out to drop off basic essentials to help victims of Hurricane Ian.
"Anything that we can give, that's going to be appreciated for them and they really need it. But nothing is going to be enough," she said.
Izquierdo feels like those victims are just like her own family. Having been through a terrible earthquake herself in Venezuela, she knows the importance of neighbors lending a hand.
"It was extremely bad, we didn't have a house, nothing to eat, nothing to live, nothing at all," she said.
She said it's hard to believe that the place in so much need is just about two hours away by car.
"Some of the images you see on TV really don't do it justice. When you go down into the beach where Fort Myers Beach is and the surrounding areas, you can't even believe what you're seeing, literally people on the streets that are hungry, they have no water," said Mobile Mike.
Even some of those helping out now, saving lives, weren't immune to the storm's effects.
"On the west coast, a lot of the first responders were affected themselves. They live there, they work there. Roofs caved in, houses with water six feet up to their necks, but they're still out there and they're still helping people around them," said Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Deanna Miranda.
Donations that would be greatly appreciated include:
- new generators
- gas cans
- plywood
- garbage bags
- first aid kits
- flashlights
- batteries
- large boxes of sealed cans ( no single or loose items)
- new blankets, air mattresses, sleeping bags, tarps
- tools (hammers, drills, wrenches, etc.)
- cleaning supplies (disinfectant wipes/sprays)
They will not be accepting clothing or used items. Everything must be boxed and labeled.
Goya Foods has committed to donating a trailer filled with food items and Home Depot will be donating flashlights along with other supplies.