An army of volunteers and organizations are in Surfside, Florida to help the families waiting for word about loved ones who were caught in the condo building collapse last week, and the survivors who are now left with nothing.
What You Need To Know
- Some organizations have raised money to help the survivors buy essentials, get transportation help and pay for crisis counseling and other support services
- There are several local and national organizations that are collecting donations to help survivors and first responders
- LIVE UPDATES: The latest on the search for survivors in the Surfside condo collapse
Since then, organizations have raised money to help the survivors buy essentials, get transportation help and pay for crisis counseling and other support services. Other groups are supporting first responders with food and other needs.
Some groups say they are overwhelmed with donations. The American Red Cross, which is helping the survivors with emergency lodging and manning the assistance center, said Tuesday in a statement that it "has what it needs to assist people impacted and is not accepting financial donations specifically for this tragedy."
"We are asking people to not send items like stuffed animals, blankets, clothing and household goods — as it takes time and money to store, sort, clean and distribute these items, which diverts limited resources away from helping those most affected," the organization said.
However, there are other groups still collecting money to help the Surfside survivors, as well as the first responders.
There's an official victim's fun posted on Neighbors4Neighbors.or/SurfsideFund.
GoFundMe is also keeping a list of verified fundraisers for the Surfside Condo Collapse on its website.
Several major local businesses and groups have formed the Support Surfside campaign, a hardship fund for the survivors of the collapse. They include the Miami Heat, The Knight Foundation, Univision, The Miami Foundation, Tito's Homemade Vodka and more.
The United Way of Miami-Dade is collecting donations through Operation Helping Hands for long term and short term assistance.
On top of providing volunteers to help at the assistance center, and help first responders, The Salvation Army is collecting money to help families and survivors secure transportation.
Several Jewish groups have also set up funds to help the survivors and their families, and are also providing crisis counseling and spiritual support. It includes the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and the Shul of Bal Harbour Fund.
World Central Kitchen, meanwhile is working with area food trucks to feed first responders and search and rescue crews. Food Rescue - U.S. is working with local restaurants to provide food to survivors, families and first responders.
More information on how you can help is being provided on the Town of Surfside website.