MIAMI – City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez put on a blue disposable hair net and a white Camillus House apron Thursday and quickly got to work with other volunteers. He also delivered a speech.
“Thank you all for the opportunity to be able to give back, to remind ourselves that we have a moral obligation to take care of each other, and this is part of that obligation,” Suarez said with his son Andrew by his side.
With the help of volunteers and donors, the Camillus House has been serving a Thanksgiving Day feast for Miami’s homeless community for over 60 years.
The nonprofit organization served hundreds of traditional meals again this year in the dining room at 1603 NW 7 Ave., in Miami’s area of Allapattah.
Suarez served food and walked up to tables to shake hands and wish others well. He had time to acknowledge the recent runoff election that resulted in two new members of the Miami Commission.
Miguel Angel Gabela beat incumbent Alex Diaz de La Portilla, who is currently suspended after his arrest on corruption charges, to represent the city’s District 1. Civil rights activist Damian Pardo defeated one-term incumbent Sabina Covo to represent District 2.
Suarez said he sent them both a congratulatory message.
“We hope it’s collegial -- always want it to be collegial -- sometimes it is, sometimes its not,” Suarez said.
Miami’s mayor hardly contained his optimism at the thought that those who have hamstrung his work in the past may no longer have the numbers to do so in his final two-year term.
Gabela and Pardo, who vowed to clean up City Hall, will be guests on Sunday of “This Week In South Florida.”
Related social media
Today was a day filled with gratitude and generosity at Camillus House, giving back to our community. Thankful for the spirit of compassion that unites us all. pic.twitter.com/a62TDbT2Ub
— Mayor Francis Suarez (@MiamiMayor) November 23, 2023