Haiti earthquake: How you can help

Cindy Kent, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
·3 min read
Haiti earthquake: How you can help

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Saturday, causing widespread destruction; more than 2,000 people have died. In addition, the island nation has been dealing with the aftermath of tropical weather conditions. Here is how you can help.

Local organizations collecting aid:

  • Florida Immigrant Coalition, Miami. floridaimmigrant.org/ 305-571-7254. Monetary donations requested at bit.ly/3sFgvo1

  • AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Fort Lauderdale. The organization is collecting items needed for children and babies, as well as materials needed by recovery teams to protect homes and other structures. Generators, water purification tablets, medical supplies, aspirin and other critical medications are also needed in addition to tents. Take donations, by 4 p.m. Aug. 24,, to the foundation’s Out of the Closet Thrift Store locations at 2097 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, and 2400 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., in addition to its AHF Southern Bureau Office, 700 SE Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. aidshealth.org

  • Boynton Beach Fire Station No. 1, 200 NE First Ave., Boynton Beach. People can donate money, medical supplies, and temporary shelters like tents, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. No food or clothing. Planes and pilots also are needed. Make monetary donations to the Gaskov Clerge Foundation gaskov.org/

  • Man Dodo mandodo.org/donate/ or 305-628-3421. Monetary donations only.

  • Family Action Network Movement fanm.org/help-haiti 305-756-8050. Monetary donations only.

  • The Smile Trust, Miami. 786-877-7826. Ayiti Recovery Fund is accepting medical supplies and bottled water only. Donations can be dropped off at 720 NW 55 St in Miami 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. mthsmile.com/haiti-earthquake-relief/

  • Haitian Christian Church, West Palm Beach. 561-287-1855. Bring medical supplies, hygiene items, clothing, food products and French and Creole pocket Bibles to the church at 300 N. Jog Road, West Palm Beach, 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m. daily.

  • Hope for Haiti, Naples, 239-434-7183 hopeforhaiti.com/ Monetary donations only.

  • Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Miami 305-576-4000 jewishmiami.org. Monetary donations can be made online or send checks by mail addressed to: Greater Miami Jewish Federation, 4200 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33137. Indicate on the check’s memo field: Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund and make payable to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Call 305-576-4000 for more information.

  • United Way Miami, 800-226-3320 unitedwaymiami.org/ Monetary donations only.

  • Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, 305-754-2444 ccadm.org/

  • Food for the Poor, Coconut Creek, 800-487-1158 foodforthepoor.org The organization is accepting monetary donations as well as other supplies. Donate canned goods and first aid kits to its warehouse 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek. View list of items needed at foodforthepoor.org/help-now/haiti-crisis/

  • Phone Calls. Verizon will waive charges for calls from its residential and business wireless and landline customers to Haiti through Aug. 31. verizon.com/about/news/verizon-waives-calling-charges-haiti

Worldwide organizations also have started aid collections for Haiti:

NOTE: Avoid charity scams. Research first: be cautious of newly formed organizations that suddenly appear on the internet using the name of the country impacted, and watch out for phone pitches. Websites like charitynavigator.org provide the names of reputable organizations. To make a complaint or learn more about charitable donation scams visit myfloridacfo.com/Division/Consumers/fraudscams.htm

This list will be updated as other opportunities to help Haiti are available. Please submit information to newsfeeds@sunsentinel.com