Standing with Venezuela
The earthquake that struck Venezuela has left families, communities, and entire neighborhoods in a state of profound loss. Here in Downtown Doral, a community shaped in no small part by the Venezuelan spirit, we feel this pain deeply and personally. Our hearts go out to every family affected, and to those anxiously waiting for word from loved ones.
Downtown Doral is already in motion alongside our community in supporting the relief effort. In the meantime, several of our beloved restaurants and retailers right here in the district are stepping up to make it easy for you to give.
Drop Off Donations Right Here in Downtown Doral
The following Downtown Doral businesses are currently accepting in-kind donations on behalf of relief organizations coordinating aid to Venezuela. If you have items to give, these are convenient and trusted places to bring them:
- The Doral Yard
- Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine
- Fluffy Fluffy
Prefer to Give Monetarily?
If you prefer to give monetarily, the City of Doral has partnered with Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), a vetted, established relief organization actively coordinating aid to communities affected by the earthquake. We encourage anyone who is looking to give money to direct their contribution there, where it will be put to immediate and meaningful use.
You can donate directly to Global Empowerment Mission at give.gem.org. This is the organization the City of Doral has endorsed as the vetted recipient for Venezuela earthquake relief.
A word of caution: in moments of crisis, charitable fraud unfortunately increases. If you come across other fundraising campaigns or websites claiming to support Venezuelan earthquake victims, please exercise care and do your research before giving. When in doubt, trust organizations that have been reviewed and recommended by local public officials.
What to Donate: Think Beyond the Basics
Non-perishable foods and bottled water are always appreciated, but they’re also the first things people think to give, which means they tend to arrive in abundance. The City of Doral has shared a full needs list, and we encourage you to review it. That said, some of the most critical items are the ones that often get overlooked. Consider prioritizing these when you shop for your donation:
- KN95 / respirator masks
- Work gloves (new)
- Work boots (new)
- Shovels & rakes (new)
- Tarps
- Large industrial trash bags
- Solar-powered lanterns
- Solar-powered power banks
- Lifestraw water filters
- Portable radios
- Hand & foot warmers
- Feminine hygiene products
- Baby diapers & wipes
- New baby bottles
- Canned pet food
- Leashes & water bowls
- Flashlights & batteries (AA/AAA/D)
These items are harder to source in disaster zones and are urgently needed by both relief workers and displaced families. A single shopping trip for a few of these items can make an outsized difference.
If you’d like to volunteer your time rather than goods, GEM is also welcoming volunteers at their warehouse to help sort and pack relief supplies. Volunteer shifts run weekdays from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at their location at 1850 NW 84th Ave #100, Doral, FL 33126.
Our hearts and prayers remain with the Venezuelan people and all those working tirelessly to bring them relief.
