The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce stands with the LGBT community and the people of Orlando who have endured a terrible attack on their city. The Chamber, in unison with the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, will be collecting funds for Equality Florida to benefit the victims and families affected by the tragedy. As President Obama stated in his address, an attack on one American is an attack on all of us.
On the heels, of the Miami Beach vigil honoring the victims, their families and survivors – we ask that you consider a contribution to Equality Florida’s GoFundMe Account. Equality Florida has set up a GoFundMe Account that has already raised over $3,000,000 of the current $5,000,000 goal. The funds raised will go directly to the victims and families affected by this tragedy. Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/PulseVictimsFund
The MDGLCC and Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce understand that the healing process is different for each of us. In the days and weeks to come, we will come to depend on our crisis counselors, community leaders, government services, and financial resources to address these needs. We will do what it can to assist with this process. In the meantime, here are a number of immediate sources where you can (go for) help:
Counseling:
• The GLBT Community Center of Central Florida is referring folks to First Unitarian Church, 1901 East Robinson Street, Orlando, FL 32803 for grief counseling.
• For anyone needing support today, you may call the Zebra Coalition hotline at (407) 228-1446 to speak to a counselor.
• From the UCF LGBT student services director: Our LGBT student hang out space, Pride Commons, will reopen Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm, with group counseling available from 1pm-2pm daily.
• More information on counselors can be found at http://eqfl.org/news/pulse
Blood Donations:
• OneBlood, the local blood bank in Orlando, posted an emergency need for O-, O+, and AB Plasma in the light of last night’s tragedy. Due to overwhelming support by the community, they are now asking that folks make an appointment to donate this week. Call 1.888.9.DONATE (1.888.936.6283) or click here: https://www.oneblood.org/donate-now
We pray for their families who are grasping for answers with broken hearts.
Michael S. Goldberg
