Readers’ generosity brings aid, comfort, even a water park visit, to South Florida’s neediest
This holiday season, as it has for 41 years, Miami Herald Charities raised money through its Wish Book program to help some of the South Florida people most in need.
The campaign was successful, despite economic challenges facing so many in Miami. Think: rising rents and the lingering COVID pandemic.
After Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald journalists, as well as Florida International University student contributors, told the stories of those in need, about 1,325 readers responded with gifts of money for home repairs and housing. They donated clothing, laptops, medical equipment and even educational opportunities.
The endeavor, which officially began on Thanksgiving, had raised $376,204 as of Friday, with pledges of another $21,000 for ongoing support of several families, said Roberta DiPietro, Wish Book coordinator. The total so far of nearly $400,000 is $5,000 more than the amount raised last year. People can still make donations, past the formal end of this season’s campaign.
Then there are the smiles Wish Book delivered.
Guadalupe Leal, area coordinator for Redland Christian Migrant Association, told the Herald of the Canchola family in Homestead. On Dec. 27, the Herald published a story about Laura Canchola and her four children, ages 5 to 11.
Canchola, 28, became a single mother in August when her husband, Pedro Vasquez, father of their three sons and a daughter, died of a fentanyl overdose.
As Christmas and New Year’s Day approached, his absence weighed heavily, dominating her thoughts. How would she get their kids through the season and beyond? Especially emotionally.
“I just want for things to fall into place,” Canchola told the Herald in December. “I know we’re never going to be 100% after all of this, but I just want to be good and healthy for my kids and just keep living life.”
A family’s day at Seaquarium
Leal noted the tangible gifts from readers. The children had wanted bicycles. She also noted an intangible gift that left an impression.
Officials at the Miami Seaquarium reached out after the Herald ran the Cancholas’ story.
“They provided a family of four children, who are still grieving the loss of their father, a family day at the Seaquarium,” Leal said. “Thanks to Wish Book and the Miami Seaquarium, for helping to create some positive and joyful memories for the children, that may otherwise have not been possible. We will forever be grateful, for all the love and support Wish Book has shown our families and the community throughout the years.”
Gifts come in all forms
Before the Wish Book 2022 season began, Bob McFarlin, general manager for the Miami Herald, el Nuevo Herald and the Bradenton Herald, had hoped to hear of outcomes like the Cancholas’.
“The beautiful thing about Miami, about our community, and even about Wish Book is that it isn’t just a matter of giving dollars. Yes, a financial donation goes a long way, but that’s not the only way you can give to a cause or to someone in need. You can give your time and effort in volunteering or putting resources together to contribute to something or someone. You can make an introduction, connecting a person, a brand, a group to one another that allows for some sort of benefit whether mutual or one-sided. Nothing holds back our community from helping one another out,” McFarlin said.
DiPietro provided examples:
▪ Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava contacted DiPietro to connect Wish Book with some of the housing support programs offered by the county.
▪ Aventura Mall once again partnered with Miami Herald Charities to promote the Wish Book program through its social media platforms and digital signage in the mall.
▪ Raquel and Michael Scheck Philanthropic Fund is supporting the housing needs of one of this season’s Wish Book families, DiPietro said.
▪ The Waterkeeper organization offered to provide Adrian Gutierrez-Elbers, 16, a freshman at Charles W. Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, educational workshops and suggested he apply for an ambassadorship to further his interest in marine science.
▪ “Another donor is offering rental assistance for one of our young nominees that has taken in her four younger siblings to avoid them being placed in foster care,” DiPietro said, referring to Jasmine Santana, 22, who readers learned is the sole caregiver for three sisters and one brother ranging in age from 6 to 18.
READ MORE: Mom and dad are gone. At 22, she’s head of the household, with 4 siblings to care for
“The response this year was overwhelming,” said DiPietro. “We were expecting a slower year due to inflation and economic trends. Many of the stories were so heart-wrenching and our readers were touched and reached out to offer support financially as well as goods and services. We have donors offering tutoring, furniture, employment and housing assistance.”
And, of course, the many charities that nominated individuals and families for consideration expressed gratitude.
“The impact Wish Book has on Casa Valentina and the youth we serve is immeasurable,” said Janice Graham, Casa Valentina’s executive director. “Wish Book, with the Miami Herald, provides a platform where youth can share their life story and their dreams with the community they live in.”
This year, Casa Valentina nominated Chris Delimond, 20, who came to Miami from Haiti at 17. He’s largely on his own and he wants to be a movie producer. But filmmakers need a camera and other equipment to fulfill their dreams.
After the Herald ran Delimond’s story on New Year’s Eve, Miami Dade College reached out, DiPietro said. Gift cards also helped deliver Delimond a camera.
READ MORE: Young Haitian film student dreams of being a movie producer. But he needs a camera
“Wish Book is more than just donations,” Graham said. “It is a safe space where the community comes together to celebrate the accomplishments of many. Without the Wish Book spotlights, many young people would drift though life unrecognized. When an awardee is announced, I see the faces of the Casa Valentina youth light up. They feel proud to have been chosen out of so many — and are never reluctant to tell their story.”
This story was originally published January 14, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
