The South Florida Haiti Relief Group, whose primary mission is to provide relief efforts following Hurricane Matthew’s devastation of the island last month, recently announced that it has received a $25,000 contribution from Florida Power & Light Co.’s charitable foundation.
Receiving the check on behalf of the South Florida Haiti Relief Group were Miami-Dade County Commission Chair Jean Monestime, Palm Beach County Commissioner-Elect Mack Bernard and Gepsie Metellus, executive director of Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center.
“I am very grateful to FPL for this generous donation, which will provide the kind of help the people of Haiti need to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Matthew,” Monestime said.
The South Florida Haiti Relief Group was created to provide a coordinated and transparent relief effort for Haiti. The group has designated the Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center as the organization that will receive and distribute relief funds on behalf of the South Florida Haiti Relief Group to organizations working in the most devastated regions of Haiti.
“At FPL, we recognize the devastation that hurricanes can cause to a community. We hope our contribution can help make a difference for those in need. For some Floridians, this emergency hits home, as so many of our South Florida communities have roots in Haiti,” FPL Vice President of External Affairs & Economic Development Pam Rauch said. “That is why our employees have also pulled together to host a medical supply drive this week and raise funds. It is all part of our company’s commitment to work together with the communities we serve.”
The South Florida Haiti Relief Group will focus relief efforts on three areas vital to recovery in the wake of the Category 4 storm: health, education and small business aid. The group is being led by Monestime’s office, with participation from elected officials from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, along with community leaders.
“As a community, it is up to us to do our part to help those in need. In Palm Beach County, especially, family extends past our borders, and many in the Haitian community have close ties to family and friends in Haiti,” Palm Beach County Commissioner-Elect Mack Bernard said. “Hurricane Matthew left a trail of destruction for so many Haitians and their families. We are blessed to have a good partner in Florida Power & Light, who make our community, here and abroad, a priority in times of need.”
Bernard added that he was grateful to have an opportunity to help those in need and work with others on the project.
Metellus was also thankful for the help. “I thank FPL for this great gesture of generosity toward the people of Haiti, in particular the regions that were devastated by Hurricane Matthew,” Metellus said. “Your gift will provide support to individuals in Haiti to rebuild their lives, their homes, their small businesses and their communities.”
For more information on the South Florida Haiti Relief Group, or to donate toward restoration efforts, call (305) 573-4871 or visit www.santla.org.
ABOVE: Florida Power & Light Company officials present a $25,000 donation to the South Florida Haiti Relief Group on Oct. 24. (L-R) Dale V.C. Holness, District 9 representative on the Broward County Commission; Christina Romelus, who represents District 3 on the Boynton Beach City Commission; FPL External Affairs Manager Aletha Player; Mack Bernard, recently elected to the Palm Beach County Commission from District 7; Miami-Dade County Commission Chair Jean Monestime; FPL Vice President of Economic Development & External Affairs Pam Rauch; FPL Senior Director of External Affairs Irene White; North Miami councilmen Philippe Bien-Aime and Alix Desulme; and Consul General of Haiti Gandy Thomas.
