MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - Local leaders in Miami Gardens continue to lend a helping hand to Southwest Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
Officials and community members gathered to collect donations to be sent out to Lee County, Monday morning.
Miami Gardens Vice Mayor Reggie Leon joined other elected officials and volunteers behind a semi-truck full of necessities, as they continued to add more items for residents of Southwest Florida affected by the storm.
“Miami Gardens, Dade County we put out a call,” said Leon. “Everyone came together, and we were able to fill this truck up. I want to thank Flo Rida for actually sponsoring this journey.”
Items donated by Miami Gardens residents included generators, water, diapers and chairs.
The caravan, which includes a Bobcat machine to clean up the areas, will visit Dunbar and Harlem Heights.
“We see a lot of times after natural disasters that the African American communities are last to get resources,” said Leon, “and thank God, we’re a city, Miami Gardens is a strong city that we’re able to help another city out.”
The owner of Southern Belle’s Kitch’n food truck, Chelsei Wilkes, also tagged along to help serve around 250 warm meals to the people of the affected areas.
“Baked chicken, yellow rice, string beans, rolls and drinks for the people,” said Wilkes. “Just in a minority community that I was raised in, that could be any of us, so just to give back to the community, that makes me feel amazing.”
Many people wanted to help as soon as they heard about this project.
To donate to Operation Helping Hands, activated by United Way Miami and The Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald, click here.
For more information about Global Empowerment Mission, click here.
To make a donation to a special relief fund established by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, click here.
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