Local Groups Gathering Aid For Hurricane Ravaged Haiti
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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - Several local organizations are pitching in to help the people of Haiti who were left homeless and hungry by Hurricane Matthew.
Wednesday morning members of the Pembroke Pines Optimist football and cheerleading team dropped off medical and food supplies they collected from their neighborhoods at the Notre Dame D'Haiti Church in Miami, which has become a central collection point for donations.
"When I saw all the pictures of what happened in Haiti I felt so bad, I want to help them out and just do something about it. So being here right now is really important to me," said 10-year-old Maverick Jones.
"I saw what happened to them and they didn't look so good, we are fine and we still have a bunch of stuff that we don't use, but they are like struggling so we just needed to help them out," said Jahein Williams, one of Jones' teammates.
"When we coach football, we're also trying to teach. One of the things we are able to teach these young people is that it is not about winning or losing on the football field, it's about learning and growing. This is a situation where we are able to help the kids grow when it comes to giving," said Earl Jones, who is a captain with Miami Fire Rescue.
"Life if very difficult and hectic for the people of Haiti, they are starving, they don't have food and therefore we believe every little bit of help will help," said Father Reginald Jean-Mary. "I've been saying let the cry of the people of Haiti at this point in time be your own cry, be your calling."
Father Jean-Mary said they've got enough clothes and water at this point and our in dire need of staples like rice, dry food, canned goods, first aid supplies and medicines.
Miami-Dade public schools students have also been collecting donations and supplies. They launched a similar drive in 2010 after an earthquake rocked Haiti and killed thousands.
In Broward, Shooters Waterfront Restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale is collecting donations of medical supplies and clothing. Shooters is working directly with The Haiti Clinic. Items can be dropped off at the popular restaurant & bar, at 3033 NE 32nd Avenue, now through noon on October 17th.
Items in need include soap, toothbrush, deodorant, over-the-counter medication for children and insect repellant. They are also accepting new clothing with the tags still attached, otherwise it's stopped by customs, especially for kids.
Students at Miami Dade College's North Campus are also holding a relief drive.
The college's North Campus is home to a large population of Caribbean students, many of whom come from Haiti.
"Empathy is the foundation of our campus culture. My fellow students care profoundly about the victims of Hurricane Matthew, both here and in Haiti. This tragedy strikes very close to home for us," said Alexander Delgado, Student Government Association President at North Campus in a statement.
The campus is partnering with the Haitian American Nursing Association to provide much-needed hygiene supplies and basic medication to impacted areas in Haiti.
Donations may be dropped off no later than November 2nd at two locations:
MDC's North Campus, 11380 NW 27th Avenue, room 4208
MDC's Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center, 6300 N.W. Seventh Ave., room 1109
A list of the most needed items includes:
Hygiene Supplies:
Bar soap
Razors
Washcloths
Deodorant
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste & Dental Floss
Shampoo
Hand sanitizer (8 oz only)
Combs
Latex or vinyl gloves
Rubbing alcohol
Medication:
Children's Tylenol, Motrin, Allergy, Cough & Cold, Stomach Medication
Adult Tylenol, Motrin, Aspirin
Gyne-Lotrimin (anti-fungal)
Silvadine Cream (Burn Cream)
Vitamins (Adults, Prenatal and Childrens)
Hydrocortisone cream
Hydrogen Peroxide and Alcohol
Antacids
First Aid triple antibiotic ointment (Neosporin)
Bandaids
Gauze rolls/pads, Ace bandages (all sizes)
Water purification tablets
The U.N. humanitarian agency in Geneva said about three-quarters of a million people in southwest Haiti alone will need "life-saving assistance and protection" in the next three months.
For more ways on how to help, or to make a monetary donation, visit: