The Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Miami Lakes AutoMall to collect donations for the people of Venezuela.
Following two earthquakes that struck on June 24 the chamber, along with the AutoMall, are asking the business community and residents to donate items.
“[We’re collecting] pickaxes, shovels, buckets, water and diapers,” Armando Arratia said in Spanish.
Arratia, who is acting as a spokesperson on behalf of the AutoMall for the collection, is asking for people to donate things to help with rescue efforts.
The earthquakes, which measured 7.2 and 7.5 according to Reuters, happened seconds apart and caused destruction in Caracas and nearby areas, including in the city of La Guaira.
Arratia, who is Venezuelan, hopes that the people of Miami Lakes will help with donations for the country.
“I want to thank people who have been helping, and any help they can offer I appreciate it,” he said.
Along with items to help with recovery, the AutoMall and the chamber are also asking for nonperishable foods such as canned goods as well as AA-AAA and D batteries, flashlights, masking tape, protein bars, bottled water, blankets, pillows, instant soups, generators, work gloves, first-aid kids and hygiene products.
Arratia also encouraged people to not donate money to the AutoMall or the chamber for the relief efforts but instead bring in the physical goods needed to help people who have been affected by the earthquakes.
According to news reports, the earthquakes and their aftermath have now caused nearly 4,000 deaths. Nearly 20,000 people have been affected, with many left homeless.After nearly two weeks of search-and-rescue operations as teams tried to find survivors buried, work has now turned to rebuilding.
Donations can be dropped off at the August 12 chamber lunch or at the Miami Lakes AutoMall, 16600 Northwest 57 Avenue.
For more information call the Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce at 305-556-2212.