Melinda Buford of Make a Wish Veterans was stunned to tears when the CEO of Hialeah Hospital and his staff showed up with a big donation after learning on Local 10 News that the veterans center had been burglarized.
"Your report indicated how she was so devastated," Hialeah Hospital CEO Ben Rodriguez said. "Early this morning we got together and we were able to collect this money in three hours, and here we are."
Rodriguez’s staff raised $1,000 to help the Opa-locka center, which was burglarized early Wednesday morning.
Buford said she arrived at the nonprofit foundation to find it trashed. Thieves stole TVs, computers and cash. But what really hurt Buford was that they stole all of the food from the pantry that she uses to feed homeless veterans on Fridays.
Thankfully, Camillus House stepped up and donated food for her pantry, and the feeding will go on as scheduled.
"We are so sad for everything you have gone through. Thank you for everything you do for the community," Patty Vila of Hialeah Hospital told Buford.
The hospital is also donating an additional $2,000 and two computers to replace the ones Buford uses to help veterans get services. Buford said her spirits have soared, thanks to the support she has received.
"Thank you to each and every one of you that reached out to us," she said.
Anyone who is able to help the veterans center is asked to call Melinda Buford at 786-237-5649.
Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.