How can you help Haiti after the earthquake? Miami groups are accepting donations
Miami social service and religious groups have started to organize efforts to help Haiti after Saturday’s earthquake.
The United Way in Miami-Dade, the Archdiocese of Miami and the Greater Miami Jewish Federation are among groups accepting donations. Haitian-American activist Marleine Bastien, executive director of the Family Action Network Movement, says her organization is figuring out how to best help Haitians affected by the earthquake. Sending goods will be challenging, local leaders say, so groups are raising money to purchase relief supplies and work with local people on the ground in Haiti.
Here are charities you can send donations for Haiti:
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami: Accepting donations online at www.ccadm.org
United Way of Miami-Dade Operation Helping Hands: The United Way and the Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald have activated Operation Helping Hands for victims of the Haiti earthquake. The United Way says all money raised will be used to buy relief items and services needed in Haiti. United Way of Miami-Dade will work with the local Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center, Miami-Dade County and nonprofits in the affected areas to support recovery needs. Donate through unitedwaymiami.org, go to the donation page or call 800-226-3320.
Family Action Network Movement (FANM): The Miami organization, led by Marleine Bastien, is collecting donations. Contact: 100 NE 84th St. Miami, FL 33138, or info@fanm.org or call 305-756-8050
AHF: Donations will be accepted until 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20 at the following locations: North Miami City Hall, 776 NE 125th St.; Out of the Closet Thrift Store, 2097 Wilton Dr. Wilton Manors; Out of the Closet, 2400 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; AHF Southern Bureau Office, 700 SE Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Items needed include toothpaste, paper towels, diapers, blankets, baby formula.
Hope for Haiti: Florida-based organization working on the ground with relief efforts in Haiti is accepting donations at hopeforhaiti.org
Greater Miami Jewish Federation: The organization has established a relief fund to help victims of the Haiti earthquake. Contribute, with all collected funds for relief, by going to jewishmiami.org, or mail checks (put “Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund” in the memo line) payable to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, 4200 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33137. For more information on donating, call 305-576-4000.
Accordia Shipping: At 11:40 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness will be joined by Haitian and local community leaders at Accordia Shipping, 2001 Eller Dr. in Fort Lauderdale. Accordia Shipping is accepting donated materials and shipping items directly to the port of Miragoane, Haiti. Accordia is accepting donations until noon Thursday, Aug. 19.
Gaskov Clerge Foundation: www.Gaskov.org/GoFundGCF or 561-510-1113
Man Dodo: www.mandodo.org/donate/ or 305-628-3421
Caribbean Strong: Volunteers needed to assemble family care packages for Haiti earthquake victims. Events 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 21-22, at 1810 NW 94th Ave., SFLCaribbeanStrong.org
This list will be updated as organizations announce their plans. Send information to dadenews@miamiherald.com
Tips to avoid charity scams
▪ Contribute to well-known organizations like those listed above.
▪ Avoid unfamiliar agencies and websites. Hours after Haiti’s earthquake hit in 2010, several domain names with the words Haiti and Relief were taken, according to Miami Herald coverage at the time.
▪ Websites like charitynavigator.org offer lists of reputable organizations.
▪ Avoid phone calls and emails soliciting donations.
▪ Use the Web to determine if the organization is legit. Websites like greatnonprofits.org and givewell.net offer reviews of nonprofit groups, so you can see how much of your money goes directly to relief.
This story was originally published August 15, 2021 at 8:09 AM.
