Major Hurricane Ian donation drive going on in Miami-Dade

Sweetwater, Florida – At the Dolphin Mall on Monday, organizations gathered essential goods for Hurricane Ian’s victims.

The city of Sweetwater and Mobile Mike Public Relations organized the fundraising campaign.

Pallets of water, gas cans, plywood, flashlights, batteries, tarps, tools, diapers, and non-perishable food items were gathered by various groups. One individual even delivered a brand-new car seat.

The Global Empowerment Mission warehouse is where the collected items are delivered before being loaded into semis and trucked to the storm zone.

The turnaround should occur within the next two days, according to the organizers.

“We are all susceptible to being victims of any hurricane. We were lucky we were spared,” Sweetwater Mayor Orlando Lopez said. “So, now, let’s be good corporate neighbors, neighbors where, you know, obviously Fort Myers is two and a half hours away, but it’s still in Florida. They are still our neighbors and we need to reach out and help them right now.”

The collection of donations is open from 7 am to 10 pm. Tuesday and Monday.

On the mall’s Cheesecake Factory side, donations are being taken.

Wednesday and Thursday will see a shift in focus to the north. From 7 am to 10 pm, there will be a donation drive at The Shops at Pembroke Gardens in Pembroke Pines.