DORAL, FLA. (WSVN) - A disaster relief nonprofit based in South Florida is seeking cash donations as they work to assess the needs of residents in Kentucky who have been affected by the tornado that swept through the Midwest late last week.
7News cameras captured volunteers sorting, labeling and boxing supplies at Global Empowerment Mission’s warehouse in Doral, Monday afternoon. The boxes have been labeled “To Kentucky, with love.”
Cellphone video from volunteers who spent two days on the ground in Mayfield, Kentucky captured extensive damage. Not many structures have been left standing.
“It looks like a bomb hit Hiroshima. It’s really, really powerful images,” said Michael Capponi, the founder of Global Empowerment Mission. “People are in a lot of suffering there.”
Capponi said Mayfield’s needs are great.
“There’s no electricity, there’s no water. There’s barely any cellphone communications,” he said. “I was actually shocked that it was that bad.”
An 18-wheeler is transporting these supplies from Global Empowerment Mission’s Doral warehouse to the affected areas later in the day. Another truck is expected to leave on Wednesday with food, generators, first aid items and clothing.
Thanks to the B Strong Foundation, victims will also receive Visa gift cards ranging from $500 to $1,000.
This mission relies heavily on donations, and Capponi said the people of South Florida have once again opened their hearts and their wallets to help.
“I’m extremely thankful to the Miami community, because we really couldn’t do this without everybody’s support here, and it’s just incredible,” he said. “Every time there’s a disaster, all Miami comes together, donates what we need.”
Global Empowerment Mission has partnered with a church in Mayfield to use a gymnasium to store and distribute supplies.
To make a donation to help Global Empowerment Mission’s efforts in Kentucky, click here.
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