Broward County Transit recognized by Neighbors 4 Neighbors as Outstanding Partner during 20th Anniversary Commemoration of Hurricane Andrew

Broward County Transit recognized by Neighbors 4 Neighbors  as Outstanding Partner during 20th Anniversary Commemoration of Hurricane Andrew

L to r: Lynne Cameron, Neighbors 4 Neighbors executive director; Doris Williams and Donnie Campbell, Broward County Transit; Russell Lazega, Esq., presenting sponsor and Marcia Barry-Smith, chair, Neighbors 4 Neighbors.

Submitted by Doris Williams

     Broward County Transit (BCT) was recognized as one of 20 “outstanding partners” connecting those in need during Hurricane Andrew at the 20th Anniversary of Neighbors 4 Neighbors and Hurricane Andrew.

    The commemorative event was held on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012, at the Hard Rock Café at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, and served as a reminder of the important role public transit can and does have during times of emergency. Accepting the award on behalf of BCT was Donnie Campbell and Doris Williams, two employees who were employed with BCT during Hurricane Andrew.

    Hurricane Andrew made landfall in Miami-Dade County back on Aug. 24, 1992, causing severe damage that impacted the lives of entire communities. Neighbors living in the devastated communities rallied around each other for support, while residents and organizations from Broward County showed support through donations, recovery resources and time.

    During the aftermath, BCT provided eight buses to assist with the delivery of supplies and to transport displaced persons to shelters. The BCT bus operators, accompanied by a transit operations supervisor, were escorted from Broward County to Homestead Air Force Base in Miami by the Florida Highway Patrol and military police, since portions of the southbound Florida Turnpike was closed to traffic.

    Neighbors 4 Neighbors was created in 1992 in the after-math of Hurricane Andrew by WFOR-TV, CBS4, as a non-profit organization providing community services and assistance for individuals and families facing everyday crisis

    “BCT is grateful to have been able to assist our neighbors to the south during that devastating time” said Williams, administrator of customer relations and communications, and a 16-year veteran with BCT who also assisted at a Miami shelter during the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew.