Hurricane Relief Efforts and How You Can Help

Hurricane Dorian over The Bahamas Tuesday morning.

By Jill Fox

After Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas, numerous relief efforts are taking place throughout Broward County. The following is a list of local businesses accepting donations to send to the Bahamas in the coming days.

The City of Coral Springs

The City is encouraging residents to visit volunteerflorida.org for ways to help. Right now with the devastation and damage, it’s important that plans with shipment are arranged with the Bahamian Government.

Residence Inn by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Coconut Creek
5730 N, FL-7, Coconut Creek
(954) 418-4000

The Residence Inn Coconut Creek is accepting donations to bring to the Bahamas. They will make three trips over — the first on Thursday. The trip is powered by their partners at South Florida Grading, Anything Marine Services, and LT Lynch Concrete.

Donations Accepted: Boxes, packing tape, hurricane supplies, hygiene products, diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies, tarps, small generators, bottled water, flashlights, radios, batteries, pet items

Pizza Time Caffe
6620 Parkside Drive
Parkland

Open 9/3-9/10 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pizza Time Caffe will collect and deliver all donations to the Miami-Dade Emergency Operations Center by Friday at 5 p.m.

Donations Accepted: Toiletries, diapers, first aid items, cleaning supplies, canned goods, box fans, work gloves, hand sanitizer, non-perishable food, water, wipes (cleaning and baby), tents and generators. No clothes.

They are also looking for volunteers to help unload and sort the items, as well as a box truck to help deliver the donations.

Heron Heights Elementary School & Coral Park Elementary School
Heron Heights and Coral Park Elementary have joined forces to collect items needed for the people in the Bahamas. Students and their parents can donate items from Wednesday through Friday.

They are also asking anyone who may have a truck to help with the delivery of donations to the Broward Emergency Operations Center. Donate funds at www.MTHSMILE.com

Wings Plus
9880 West Sample Rd
Coral Springs

Wings Plus will be collecting donations during normal business hours until their U-haul truck is full, and will bring donations to the Residence Inn Coconut Creek.
Donations Accepted:
building supplies, sheetrock, water, tarps, canned goods, hygiene kits, MREs, first aid kits, trash bags, mosquito repellant, bleach, chlorine tablets, baby items, generators, household cleaning items.

Food for the Poor
6401 Lyons Road
Coconut Creek

Open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Collecting donations on Wednesday at 10 a.m. They are accepting canned goods and diapers at their Coconut Creek Warehouse.

The City of Margate

The Margate Police Department and the Margate-Coconut Creek Fire Rescue Department will be spearheading the Hurricane Dorian Relief Collection drive.
Beginning Wednesday through September 20, donations will be accepted at the Police Department and all Margate and Coconut Creek Fire Stations daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The locations are as follows:
Margate Police Department: 5790 Margate Boulevard
Fire Station 18: 5785 Park Drive, Margate
Fire Station 58: 600 N. Rock Island Road, Margate
Fire Station 98: 5395 NW 24th Street, Margate
Fire Station 94: 4455 Sol Press Boulevard, Coconut Creek
Fire Station 50: 4500 Coconut Creek Parkway, Coconut Creek

Requested donations: Water, non-perishable foods, hygiene kits (tissue, toothpaste, toothbrushes, towels, sanitary napkins), cleaning supplies (bleach, mops, brooms, garbage bags, sponges, clothespins), disinfectants, baby food and formula, blankets, flashlights, batteries, mosquito repellent (DEET-free) and first aid kits (bandages, gauze and tape).

TypeStyles Inc. Print Shop
9381 West Sample Road #200
Coral Springs

NW Corner of Sample Road and University Drive
They will be sending boats to the Bahamas with donations. Requested donations: Shoes, tarps, batteries, first aid, food, diapers.

miVIP Medical Group
5830 Coral Ridge Drive, Suite #160
Coral Springs

They are coordinating directly with their connections in Freeport that work for the government and police force there to get essentials over to them. They will either be using private boats and or planes. Requested donations: Canned food, basic medical supplies, diapers, water, feminine products, dry pet food, can openers, hand sanitizers, and wipes.

Make Our Schools Safe

The nonprofit is collecting donations for emergency phone chargers. Donate $10 at MakeOurSchoolsSafe.org. In the memo, write for Bahamas Chargers. These pre-charged chargers will be going to the Bahamas in the next few days by an anonymous donor’s private yacht.

Gold Coast Schools

Gold Coast Schools are collecting donations through Friday at all of their locations. They have boats set to leave for their first trip on Friday, weather permitting. The closest locations are:

5600 Hiatus Road, Tamarac
2600 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton

Accepted donations: Non-perishable foods, water, first aid supplies, toiletries, cleaning supplies, feminine products, baby supplies, and clothing.

OneBlood

OneBlood is encouraging all eligible donors to please donate to ensure a ready blood supply. Healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood. A complete listing of donor centers and mobile drives can be found at www.oneblood.org.

The American Red Cross Hurricane Dorian Relief

Donate now: American Red Cross.

Tropical Financial Credit Union
8947 West Atlantic Blvd. Coral Springs, FL 33071

The credit union is working with various individuals and organizations to have the items transported to the Bahamas for distribution. Items requested: Water, nonperishable food, pet food, diapers, first-aid supplies, camping lights, gas cans, flashlights, cleaning supplies, batteries, tents and tarps, blankets, bug spray, and extension cords.

The City of Parkland
PREC at Pine Trails Park
Drop off at the PREC from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, September 6th.

Items accepted are blue tarps, canned food, dry food, first aid supplies, bottled water and drinks, tools, tents, blankets, batteries, flashlights, hygiene products, grills, and generators. Clothing will not be accepted.

Delivery Dudes
to Accept + Deliver Donations and Supplies to the Bahamas

Delivery Dudes wants to help the residents in areas of the Bahamas that were severely affected by Hurricane Dorian and will be accepting donations and supplies (canned and non-perishable food, bottled water, diapers, personal hygiene items, etc.)

They are working closely with Bahamian locals and US private citizens with access to aircraft and barges to bring supplies into the Bahamas as quickly as possible.

Locations and times:

Delray Beach                                     Fort Lauderdale
Downtowner Office                        The Riverside Market Cafe
333 NE 2nd St.                                   608 SW 12th Ave.
(561) 573-5018                                  (954) 358-8333
10am-10pm                                        8am-12am

Plantation
Riverside Market Plantation        The Riverside Market South
6900 Cypress Rd                               3218 SE 6th Ave
(954) 306-6819                                  (954) 524-8986
9am-10pm                                          10am-11pm (Sunday until 5pm)

Pompano Beach
Interior Designs by Steven G
2818 Center-port Circle
(954) 592-3332
9am-5pm (Mon- Fri)

If South Florida residents are unable to drop off supplies, please call Delivery Dudes at 561-900-7060, and they will arrange for items to be picked up and sent to the Bahamas.

Broward County Public Schools

Broward County Public Schools, in collaboration with the Broward Education Foundation, United Way of Broward County and BrightStar Credit Union, is working to collect and deliver donations and resources to assist with Hurricane Dorian recovery efforts in the Bahamas. List of supplies needed here.

Drop-off Locations:

Broward Education Foundation School Supply Center
2300 W. Copans Road, #5
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
754-321-9020

BrightStar Credit Union – Davie
2400 Davie Road
Davie, FL 3331

BrightStar Credit Union – Downtown Fort Lauderdale
600 SE 3rd Ave
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301

BrightStar Credit Union – Hollywood
4743 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, FL 33021

BrightStar Credit Union – Lauderhill
1879 N State Road 7
Lauderhill, FL 33313

BrightStar Credit Union – Margate
3175 N State Road 7
Margate, FL 33063

BrightStar Credit Union – Pembroke Pines
12405 Taft St
Pembroke Pines, FL 33028

BrightStar Credit Union – Pompano Beach
1600 S Federal Hwy
Pompano Beach, FL 33062