Chairman Jean Monestime Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners District 2
FPL contributes $25,000 for Hurricane Matthew relief and Yellow Cab of Broward matches it
From L-R: Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness, City of Boyton Beach Commissioner Christina Romelus, FPL External Affairs Manager Aletha Player, Palm Beach County Commissioner Elect Mack Bernard, Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Jean Monestime, FPL VP of Economic Development and External Affair Pam Rauch, FPL Senior Director of External Affairs Irene White, City of North Miami Councilman Philippe Bien-Aime, City of North Miami Councilman Alix Desulme, and Consul General of Haiti Gandy Thomas
MIAMI-DADE, FL – On the evening of Oct. 24, the South Florida Haiti Relief Group, received a $25,000 contribution from Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) charitable foundation and Yellow Cab of Broward’s charitable foundation matched the donation with another $25,000.
“I am very grateful to FPL for this generous donation, which will provide the kind of help the people of Haiti need to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Matthew,” said Chairman Monestime.
The South Florida Haiti Relief Group was created to provide a coordinated and transparent relief effort for Haiti following Hurricane Matthew’s devastation of the island earlier this month. The group is comprised of elected officials and community leaders from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach.
“Yellow Cab of Broward will match FPL’s donation and we are offering to take a delegation to Haiti in order identify needs,” said its President & CEO John M. Camilo. “Additionally, if someone in Broward County wants to donate non-perishables, they can call (954) 777-7777 and Yellow Cab will pick up the items from their home or business.”
The Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center was designated by the group as its fiscal agent. The organization will receive and distribute relief funds on behalf of the South Florida Haiti Relief Group to organizations working in the most devastated regions of Haiti.
“At FPL, we recognize the devastation that hurricanes can cause to a community. We hope our contribution can help make a difference for those in need. For some Floridians, this emergency hits home as so many of our South Florida communities have roots in Haiti,” said FPL Vice President of External Affairs and Economic Development, Pam Rauch. “That is why our employees have also pulled together to host a medical supply drive this week and raise funds. It is all part of our company’s commitment to work together with the communities we serve.”
The South Florida Haiti Relief Group will focus relief efforts on three areas vital to recovery in the wake of the Category 4 storm: health, education and small business aid.
“As a community, it is up to us to do our part to help those in need. In Palm Beach County especially, family extends past our borders and many in the Haitian community have close ties to family and friends in Haiti,” said Palm Beach County Commissioner Elect Mack Bernard. “Hurricane Matthew left a trail of destruction for so many Haitians and their families. We are blessed to have a good partner in Florida Power & Light who make our community, here and abroad, a priority in times of need. I am grateful that I have an opportunity to help those in need and work with others who share my passion for service.”
“This donation will provide support to individuals in Haiti to rebuild their lives, their homes, their small businesses and their communities,” said Executive Director of Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center, Gepsie Metellus.
A donation for restoration efforts could be made with a check payable to Sant La for South Florida Haiti Relief Group and mailed to 5000 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida 33137. You may also use a credit card via PayPal through Sant La’s website www.santla.org. The mobile giving option is available by texting the word HAITI to 52000; a $10 fee will be deducted. Sant La will provide a full accounting of funds collected and distributed.
