|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Local Groups Launch Urgent Relief Efforts and Coordinate Aid Shipments
As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica as a powerful Category 5 storm, South Florida organizations are mobilizing immediate relief efforts to support recovery once the storm passes. The rapidly intensifying storm is forecast to cause life-threatening flash floods, landslides, and widespread infrastructure damage, potentially displacing thousands and cutting off essential access to affected communities.
South Florida Caribbean Strong, in partnership with the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) and The Miami Foundation, urges the community to donate, volunteer, and help deliver essential relief supplies.
South Florida, a region well-versed in hurricanes, recognizes the importance of unity and preparedness. From Andrew to Irma and beyond, its residents have created a legacy of resilience and compassion—one that extends beyond borders when Caribbean neighbors are in need. Once again, the community is stepping up, ready to share expertise, resources, and generosity to help Jamaica recover and rebuild stronger.
“We are no strangers to disaster response and recovery in South Florida and the Caribbean,” said Marlon Hill, Lead Volunteer Mobilizer of South Florida Caribbean Strong. “It’s crucial that we mobilize efficiently—delivering the greatest aid to the most people, at the lowest possible cost. Jamaica and neighboring countries will need us in an extraordinary way, and there’s a role for each of us to play.”
How to Help Families Impacted by Hurricane Melissa:
How You Can Help: U.S. Caribbean Strong Relief Efforts
1. DONATE
Support the U.S. Caribbean Strong Relief Fund through The Miami Foundation or Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) at www.globalempowermentmission.
The public is also encouraged to support additional partners involved in global relief efforts, including Food For The Poor, American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ), and World Central Kitchen (WCK).
Cash donations are preferred to help cover transportation costs and purchase essential supplies such as generators, medical kits, and hygiene products.
Donation Links:
-
The Miami Foundation – U.S. Caribbean Strong Relief Fund
Donate Here
(Previously established to support Caribbean disaster relief efforts) -
Global Empowerment Mission (Primary Mobilization Partner)
www.globalempowermentmission.org -
Food For The Poor (Jamaican-founded nonprofit based in Coconut Creek, FL)
www.foodforthepoor.org -
American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ)
(U.S.-based nonprofit supporting Jamaica’s ODPEM, the lead emergency management agency)
https://theafj.org/disaster-relief/ -
World Central Kitchen (WCK)
(Working with Jamaican chefs and restaurants to prepare meals post-landfall)
www.wck.org
2. VOLUNTEER
Join efforts to assemble emergency kits at GEM’s South Florida warehouse:
1850 NW 84th Avenue, #100, Doral, FL 33126
– Hours:
-
Monday–Friday: 10 AM–1 PM & 2 PM–5 PM
-
Saturday: 10 AM–2 PM
Sign up to volunteer: GEM Volunteer Events
3. PURCHASE RELIEF ITEMS
You can directly purchase and ship the requested relief supplies to the GEM warehouse.
Visit: https://linktr.ee/
Requested Items:
-
Tarps
-
Generators
-
Canned Foods
-
Hygiene Kits
Please do not send used clothing or linens.
South Florida Caribbean Strong is vetting and confirming drop-off locations for relief items. To date, the following locations are confirmed:
City of Miramar Drop-Off Locations
-
Fire Station 19 – 6700 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, FL 33023
-
Fire Station 70 – 9001 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, FL 33025
-
Fire Station 84 – 14801 SW 27th Street, Miramar, FL 33027
-
Fire Station 100 – 2800 SW 184th Avenue, Miramar, FL 33029
-
Fire Station 107 – 11811 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, FL 33023
-
Miramar Police Headquarters – 11765 City Hall Promenade, Miramar, FL 33025
City of Lauderhill Drop-Off Locations
-
Lauderhill City Hall – 5581 W. Oakland Park Blvd.
-
Veterans Park – 7600 NW 50th Street
-
John Mullins Park – 2000 NW 55th Avenue
-
Westwind Park – 4550 NW 82nd Avenue
-
Lauderhill Historical Museum – 1080 NW 47th Avenue
-
Joy’s Roti Delight – 1205 NW 40th Avenue
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–9 PM
City of Miami Gardens Drop-Off Locations
-
Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex – 3000 NW 199th Street, Miami Gardens, FL 33056
-
Miami Gardens Police Department – 18611 NW 27th Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 33056
Jamaican Women of Florida Drop-Off Locations
-
Walker’s Chiropractic and Wellness Center – 8844 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, FL 33025
-
Juici Patties (Florida Locations) – Miramar, Hollywood, Lauderhill, Lauderdale Lakes, Sunrise, Davie, West Palm Beach, Greenacres, Coral Springs
Website: www.juicipattiesusa.com -
Thomas Ed Learning Center – 2655 S. State Rd 7, Suite E820, Wellington, FL 33414
Donation Drop-Off Locations
Jerk Machine Restaurant
317 SW 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
Drop-Off Hours: Monday – Saturday, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Contact:
-
Catherine Malcolm —
(954) 980-0011 -
Winsome Robertson Green, Aiding-Aids, Inc. —
(954) 249-5075
Homestead Collection Sites
The City of Homestead is partnering with GEM to collect donations at the following locations starting Tuesday.
Collection Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Note: One location also accepts donations on Saturdays.
Drop-Off Locations:
-
City Hall — 100 Civic Court, Homestead
-
Homestead Police Department — 45 NW First Avenue, Homestead
-
Pichol Williams Community Center — 951 SW 4th Street, Homestead
(Also open Saturdays, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Follow real-time updates on Instagram: @SFLCaribbeanStrong.
About Global Empowerment Mission (GEM)
Founded in response to the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, Global Empowerment Mission offers swift aid with efficiency and transparency. With over 355 missions across 57 countries and all 50 U.S. states, GEM is a 4-star Charity Navigator organization that allocates 97% of donations to mission-related work.
About the US Caribbean Strong Relief Fund
Caribbean Strong Relief Fund
This volunteer network of SFL Caribbean community leaders is a community-driven initiative established with the support of the Miami Foundation. This fund brings together community leaders, promoters, local small businesses, and non-profit organizations. The group is united to raise awareness and provide critical financial support, immediate supplies, and necessities throughout the Caribbean, especially during hurricane season and natural disasters. The mission is to mobilize resources quickly and efficiently to help those affected by natural disasters rebuild and recover. The U.S. Caribbean Strong Relief Fund is managed under the care and auspices of The Miami Foundation.
