AVENTURA, FLA. (WSVN) - - In a collaborative response to the devastating wildfires that have ravaged parts of Maui, a coalition of local agencies has come together to launch a comprehensive relief effort at Aventura Mall.
From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, residents affected by the fires will find crucial assistance and support on the east side of Aventura Mall, located at 19565 Biscayne Blvd., in front of the Apple store.
“We’re going to be heading to Maui next week and we’re going to bring whatever we can,” said Mobile Mike, a radio personality that participates in these donation drives. “We’ve seen the images, and it’s just devastating what you’ve seen on TV and that doesn’t even tell the whole story. People have absolutely no food, no water, no shelter, nowhere to go. So we’re going to fill up as many trucks as we can.”
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), in partnership with Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), The American Red Cross, and multiple law enforcement agencies including Miami Police, Miami-Dade Police, and Coral Gables Police, has teamed up with Mobile Mike to coordinate the Maui Wildfire Relief Effort. This comes after President Joe Biden visited Maui and announced federal government aid to the residents of the community.
This joint effort aims to provide immediate aid to survivors and affected communities.
“We’re collecting non-perishable canned food items also chainsaws, gas cans with no fuel in them, flashlights, batteries, pet food. Most importantly we are looking for monetary donations,” said Mobile Mike.
“Think about what you would need if you no longer had power,” said Sargeant Hans Maestre with Aventura Police. “Toiletries, water, food, necessities, food that’s not perishable because it has to be transported.”
The relief effort will offer survivors GEM’s BStrong cash cards, which offer them the flexibility to purchase essential supplies they need the most.
“It’s heartbreaking and sad, not only do people not have any food, they have no housing,” said Mike.
Short-term accommodation assistance, long-term housing solutions, and rebuilding projects will be provided to those whose homes have suffered severe damage or destruction due to the wildfires. According to the ground team in Maui, the housing situation is dire.
“As they need to stay somewhere, we’re gonna go ahead and pay for their accommodations, whether it’s Airbnb — there are a lot of those properties there on the island and a lot of the hotels, both in and around Maui that haven’t been devastated,” said Mike. “Those people are going to have to stay somewhere while their homes are being built probably for the next two to three years.”
Mike continued to emphasize that the money they will be raising over the next few days will be used to pay for the housing expenses of those affected by the fire. The initiative will also extend support to pets affected by the disaster.
Locals that donated to the cause at Tuesday’s gathering said they wanted to give back to those who have helped in the past.
“People always give us stuff when we have hurricanes, I thought I’d give back,” said Joey Phillips.
The struggle to rebuild is one that South Floridians know too well and even though we’re thousands of miles away, residents of the sunshine state want to do their part to help.
“We’re from down in the Keys and we know what it’s like when people get devastated by natural disasters,” said Robert Lockwood. “We’re going to help out just like they helped out when hurricanes came through the Keys and Key West.”
Anyone interested in donating should note that the relief effort will accept on-site monetary donations. Donations can be made in the form of a check or money order payable to either Global Empowerment Mission or The American Red Cross.
For those looking to contribute from afar, an online option is available through GEM’s official website.
Following Tuesday’s effort at Aventura Mall, the relief initiative will continue at Shops at Merrick Park on Wednesday and at Shops at Pembroke Gardens on Thursday.
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