MIAMI – With images of the devastation in the Bahamas shocking many in South Florida, many have asked how to help the islands.
The South Florida community is collecting relief supplies and donations for the Bahamian people at locations all of Miami-Dade and Broward.
BahamaStrong is collecting needed items at all city of Miami fire stations (list at bottom), as well as Greater St. Paul AME Church at 3680 Thomas Avenue and Christ Episcopal Church at 3475 William Avenue, both in Coconut Grove.
List of items needed:
- Water
- Canned goods
- Can openers
- Mosquito spray
- Sunscreen
- Diapers
- Baby formula
- First aid items
- Flashlight
- Batteries
- Small generators
City of Miami fire station locations:
- Fire Station 1: 144 N.E. 5 ST
- Fire Station 2: 1901 N. MIAMI AVE
- Fire Station 3: 1103 NW 7 ST
- Fire Station 4: 1105 SW 2 AVE
- Fire Station 5: 1200 NW 20 ST
- Fire Station 6: 701 NW 36 ST
- Fire Station 7: 314 BEACOM BLVD
- Fire Station 8: 2975 OAK AVE
- Fire Station 9: 69 NE 62 ST
- Fire Station 10: 4101 NW 7 ST
- Fire Station 11: 5920 W. FLAGLER ST
- Fire Station 12: 1455 NW 46 ST
- Fire Station 13: 185 NE 82 TER
- Fire Station 14: 2119 S.W. 19 ST
Fire Station 8 is located in Coconut Grove, one of Miami's oldest Bahamian settlements.
Click here to view a map of drop-off locations in the city of Miami.
People have been coming and going throughout the day dropping off donations, and the fire house will be open all night for anyone else that wants to stop by.
Also in the Grove, Christ Episcopal Church accepted donations all day. Pastor Jonathan Archer says his congregation is Bahamian with many members having deep roots in the island chain.
"We were spared, and thank god that we were spared," he said. "But we have a whole lot of supplies."
Miami commissioner Ken Russell heard from several churches and rallied fire stations across the city, many filling up with supplies in a matter of hours.
"The original founders of Miami and some of the signers of our incorporating documents are from the West Grove and they were Bahamian," said Russell. "We have a responsibility to help out our neighbors, so I knew this community would come together.
In Miami-Dade County, four county government locations will be open Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. accepting donations.
- Miami-Dade County Main Library, 101 W. Flagler St., Miami.
- Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 NW First St., Miami.
- Joseph Caleb Center. 5400 NW 22 Ave., Miami.
- Office of Emergency Management Warehouse, 8008 NW 14 St., Doral.
Parking validation for those making donations at the Stephen P. Clark Center in Downtown Miami will be provided at the drop-off point on the first floor. All other drop-off locations have free parking available.
The National Association of the Bahamas has set up an online fund to donate money for their hurricane relief efforts.
The Global Empowerment Mission is accepting donations to their warehouse at 340 N.W. 59 Terrace in Miami between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.
Lifestyle Miami will be collecting water, canned goods, first aid kits and other relief items at 3 locations:
- Lifestyle Miami Offices - 5161 N.W. 79 Avenue, Doral
- Oasis Solutions - 6001 N.W. 153 Street, Miami Lakes
- Molinas Ranch - 4090 E. 6 Avenue, Hialeah
Donations accepted at the Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindinghall Social & Economic Institute at 5120 N.W. 24 Avenue in Miami or click here to donate money.
The Miami-Dade County Fair has created a GoFundMe account to assist the victims of Hurricane Dorian.
The Rotary Club of Miami Brickell will be accepting donations and supplies at Batch Gastropub at 30 S.W. 12 Street in Miami from 6 - 9 p.m.
Le Luxe Beauty Bar at 10597 S.W. 40 Street in Miami is collecting donations at its location.
The Rev. Archer- Christ Episcopal Church at 3481 Hibiscus St. in Coconut Grove is collecting donations.
Beat Culture Brewery at 7250 Northwest 11th Street in Miami is collecting donations as well.
Metro Ford of Miami at 9000 NW Seventh Ave. is collecting donations.
The Betty K Agencies (USA) shipping company will soon transport relief supplies that are being collected between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 3611 NW S. River Drive in Miami, as well as donations that are being collected between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. at 3701 NW S. River Drive in Miami.
The city of Sweetwater will be collecting donations at Dolphin Mall from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday. Donations may be dropped off in the West Valet area of Cabo Flats and Cheesecake Factory.
Below is a list of items they are accepting:
- New Generators
- Plywood
- Construction Materials (Hammers, nails, plumbing & roofing supplies)
- Pop Up Tents
- Gas Cans
- Baby Diapers, Baby Food, Baby Wipes (Only unopened boxed items no single items)
- Large boxes of sealed canned foods (No single or bagged items)
- New Blankets, Cots, Sleeping Bags, Air Mattresses, Tarps (no opened items)
- Large unopened bags of Pet Food or full boxes of Canned Pet Food (no open items)
Aventura Mall is also accepting donations at the following locations:
- Aventura Mall
19501 Biscayne Boulevard
Aventura, FL 33180 - Sacred Space Warehouse
340 NE 59th Terrace
Miami, FL 33137
Curbside valet adjacent to Aventura Slide Tower
Monday through Friday:10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday:10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. and Sunday: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Visitor's Center: Inside Lower Level near Bloomingdale's
Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. and Sunday: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Items being collected include baby food and formula, cleaning supplies, diapers and wipes, first-aid items and kits, flashlights and candles, heavy-duty garbage bags, hygiene products, non-perishable food items and pet food (dry and canned).
The Eating House at 804 Ponce de Leon Blvd. is accepting donations.
Miami Temple SDA Church at 9175 SW 44th St. in Miami is accepting donations.
In Broward, the Koinonia Worship Center at 4900 West Hallandale Beach Boulevard will begin accepting donations at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Food for the Poor is accepting canned meats, canned fish, canned milk (both evaporated and condensed) and diapers at its warehouse at 6401 Lyons Road in Coconut Creek beginning Wednesday. Drop-off hours are between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Habitat for Humanity of Broward is now accepting donations from the public at its Habitat Broward ReStore, located at 505 W. Broward Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Only new items in their original sealed packaging can be accepted for safety reasons. Habitat for Humanity is not accepting clothing donations at this time.
All Fort Lauderdale Fire Stations are accepting donations seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Craig Zinn Automotive Group is collecting relief supplies at the following dealerships:
Acura of Pembroke Pines
15601 Pines Blvd
Pembroke Pines, FL 33027
Toyota of Hollywood
1841 FL-7
Hollywood, FL 33021
Lexus of Pembroke Pines
16150 Pines Blvd
Pembroke Pines, FL 33027
Subaru of Pembroke Pines
16100 Pines Blvd
Pembroke Pines, FL 33027
Lexus of North Miami
14100 Biscayne Blvd
North Miami, FL 33181
The Florida Panthers and UNICEF are teaming up to raise funds for Hurricane Dorian relief efforts. Donations can be made by clicking here.
Salon 51 at 51 NE 44th St. in Oakland Park is collecting donations from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Silver Seas Yachts at 1515 SE 17th St., Suite #A111 in Fort Lauderdale is now accepting donations.
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church at 1161 Nw 29th Terrace in Fort Lauderdale is collecting donations.
BSO Fire Rescue Station 1 at 116 W. Dania Beach Blvd. in Dania Beach is now collecting supplies.
National Marine Suppliers at 2800 SW Second Ave. in Fort Lauderdale is now collecting supplies.
Donations are also being collected at Sheltair Aviation at 1773 N. State Road 7 in Lauderhill,
American Horse Trails Ranch at 4828 SW 198th Terrace in Southwest Ranches is accepting donations.
Smith, Gaskill & Shenkman at 11891 U.S. 1 in North Palm Beach is accepting donations.
The Cable & Wireless Charitable Foundation has earmarked up to $500,000 to help with the immediate and long-term needs in the Bahamas. Donations are being collected on its website.