UPDATED: See how South Florida companies assist with Covid-19 relief efforts (Photos)

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Braman BMW delivers 200 Chick-fil-A dinners to Jackson Memorial Hospital to show support for health care workers on the frontlines of the Covid-19 battle.

Mel Meléndez
By Mel Meléndez – Editor-in-Chief, South Florida Business Journal
Updated

Those of us who work in South Florida know firsthand of the many winning executives and companies that routinely contribute to the region's nonprofits and charitable organizations.

In fact, philanthropy and community involvement is an important trait considered for many Business Journal honors and awards as we believe in the importance of businesses giving back to the communities they serve.

And I'm happy to say that the South Florida business community is known for supporting countless charities and for stepping up to the plate to help individuals, businesses and nonprofits.

This couldn't be more evident today as the Sunshine State – and the world – grapples with battling the spread of the novel coronavirus.

In just a short while, this pandemic has taken its toll, with many business owners forced to let go of beloved employees to remain afloat and others wondering if their businesses will even make it through this challenging period.

But nary a day goes by without our editorial team learning of tri-county region businesses involved in charitable efforts to help those most impacted by this health scourge.

As journalists, it's rewarding to see how so many businesses are aiding others during this time of great uncertainty. It speaks to our business community's charitable spirit and resiliency.

And while it isn't humanly possible for us to write about all of these efforts, we've created this feature to encourage our readers to share how their companies are helping improve the lives of others during these disconcerting times.

Listed below are some recent examples of the ways our companies are making a difference. But I'm inviting you to let me know of other charitable efforts as we will be updating this feature daily. Please email me at mmelendez@bizjournals.com as you learn of efforts by your company or others. Also consider sending photos of those efforts to share with our readers.

And from our Business Journal family to yours, be safe.


Recent charitable efforts include:

• Accounting firm Marcum LLP recently announced it has partnered with North Palm Beach- based BurgerFi to deliver up to 20,000 meals to hospital workers and first responders on the frontlines of Covid-19 in cities throughout the U.S. The program launches May 14.

• The Adrienne Arsht Center is offering free one-on-one interview coaching and resume review sessions for those unemployed during the current health pandemic. It’s part of the art group’s Arsht@Work program which helps college grads to seasoned pros prepare for job searches. Click here for more details.

• Conviva Care Centers recently donated $750,000 to support Feeding South Florida’s efforts to feed the vulnerable senior population during the current health crisis. (See attached photo.) It is part of Conviva’s initiative to donate $2 million to food banks in Florida and Texas.

• Hooters of Doral recently donated over 250 wings, curly fries and desserts to Fire Station #48 and the 8th Street Medical Center as part of its ongoing efforts to support those on the front lines of the Covid-19 battle. (See attached photos.)

• Avenger Flight Group, based at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, has committed $7,000 a week to the Feeding South Florida food bank until the Covid-19 pandemic has ended. Each weekly donation pays for 49,000 meals for South Florida residents in need.

• Miami-based V12 Supply, a supplier of personal protective equipment, is donating N95 masks to frontline health care professionals and vulnerable populations across South Florida, including Mount Sinai Medical Center, Jackson Health System and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida. It recently donated 500 N95 masks and 1,000 three-ply disposable masks to Miami Beach Fire Rescue. (See attached photo.)

• Ed Sheehy, President of JM Family’s subsidiary Southeast Toyota Distributors, launched a “Hair Color Challenge” to raise funds to help feed those impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. Sheehy raised more than $229,000 for Feeding America during the drive, which aimed to raise at least $15,000 for Sheehy to dye his hair color. He chose teal blue. (See attached photo.)  

• Braman BMW recently delivered 200 dinners to Jackson Memorial Hospital to show support for health care workers on the frontlines of the Covid-19 battle. The effort was part of South Florida BMW Dealers’ initiative to deliver 2,000 meals in partnership with Chick-fil-A to hospitals from Ft. Pierce to South Miami. (See attached photos.)

• HCA East Florida Division, an affiliate of HCA Healthcare, recently announced it’s awarding a grant of $100,000 grant to United Way of Miami-Dade to support the Miami Pandemic Response Fund and $50,000 to United Way of Broward for its COVID-19 Campaign.

• Goodwill South Florida recently announced it has converted a portion of its sewing operations to manufacture 20,000 masks for employees at transportation and logistics company Ryder System, Inc. Employees will wear the masks as they work on the flow of delivering essential goods and services needed in the fight against Covid-19, Goodwill said.

• On May 5, the Rotary Club of Weston, along with the Vernon Carey Foundation and Memorial Foundation, hosted a thank you BBQ for over 200 National Guard soldiers and healthcare workers from the Memorial Healthcare System. It was part of the Rotary Feeds the Front Line initiative, to support those testing thousands of people for coronavirus at C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines. (See attached photos.)

• AutoNation has partnered with the American Cancer Society to raise funds for its Covid-19 Response Fund. As part of the initiative, the Fort Lauderdale-based automotive retailer will ask customers to donate to the American Cancer Society via credit card terminals at 325 AutoNation locations across the U.S.

 • Tire Kingdom in West Palm Beach recently purchased $250 worth of subs as part of  Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches franchisee’s promotion “Pay It ‘Freaky Fast’ Forward. (See attached photo.) Jimmy John’s reportedly started the program to provide meals to those impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. 

• United Way of Miami-Dade County and Feeding South Florida recently partnered to host a food distribution drive-thru at the United Way Partnership Building parking lot. Provided by Feeding South Florida, the food was distributed to more than 100 families in need during the coronavirus pandemic. (See attached photos.)

• Miramar-based Spirit Airlines recently announced it offered nearly 3,000 people humanitarian return home flights during April. The 21 flights connected the U.S. with Colombia, Honduras, Haiti, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Aruba. The airline said it will continue operating the flights at the request of embassy and consulate officials.

• The South Florida Ford Dealers Association recently announced the launch of its “Get In and Give Back” social media hashtag campaign to support Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation. Under the campaign those who drive Ford vehicles can take a photo and share it on their Facebook or Instagram accounts using the hashtag #FORDGetIn. South Florida FORD will then donate $5 per picture to the hospital.

• On May 2, American Airlines donated 3,300 snack boxes to United Way of Miami-Dade County as part of its ongoing Covid-19 relief efforts. The boxes benefitted veterans and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership families.

• The Vernon Carey Foundation, Lineage Logistics and Anthony J. Galvin Foundation recently donated 250 meals for health care workers at Jackson North Medical Center. The meals were prepared by Hooters of Hialeah. (See attached photos.)

• Miami-based It’s A 10 Haircare recently announced it is donating more than $5.4 million worth of products to various nonprofits, including Good360, a leader in product philanthropy. The partnership will help distribute more than 211,000 products, including shampoos, conditioners and hand creams to people in need during the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here for more details.

• Sunrise-based companies Decocrated, 1THRIVE and The Flag Shirt announced they’ll be donating 10% of all sales from April 28 (National Superheroes Day) through May 12 (International Nurses Day) to the First Responders Children’s Foundation. Click here for more details.

• Hooters of Boca Raton recently partnered with University of Central Florida Alumni and supporters Paul Fermo, Todd Guiley and Mike Hinn to feed the Covid-19 unit at Boca Regional Hospital. About 25 meals were delivered to doctors and nurses on April 29. (See attached photos.)

• Boca Raton-based Lang Realty recently aided first responders by donating $1,000 to The Soup Kitchen of Boynton Beach and dried and canned goods to Boca Helping Hands. The company said it sponsored 250 meals during its week-long efforts.

• Miami-based HES Group announced it's donating relief kits to Baptist Hospital for 30 days. The kits will contain products from local businesses, such as a poke bowl from Pokekai, Pirulin snacks for dessert, and a daily creative activity, such as origami, for the medical personnel to de-stress. (See attached photos.)

• The Spirit Airlines Charitable Foundation announced on April 29 that it’s partnered with various nonprofit organizations to assist with Covid-19 relief efforts. Efforts include aiding the YMCA of South Florida, Jack & Jill Children’s Center and No Kid Hungry through a $10,000 donation. It also donated $28,000 to YMCA of South Florida to support weekly grocery drop-offs for seniors.

• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden announced it partnered with Moonlighter Makerspace, a non-profit S.T.E.A.M. Learning Center + Fabrication Lab, to manufacture face shields for health care and other essential workers. Thanks to local partners, the companies have donated more than 1,500 face shields to organizations, including the Miami Beach Fire Department, Holy Cross Hospital, Miami Cerebral Palsy Residence Service and Hialeah Fire Department.

• Miami-based Real Estate Sales Force recently provided meals for 50 health care workers at Mercy Hospital and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. (See attached photos.) It's part of the company’s 12 Months of Giving program, which launched in January. Click here for more details.

• Produce Alliance, LLC, has teamed up with Broward Health Foundation to provide fresh produce for caregivers and staff at Broward Health Imperial Point in Fort Lauderdale. It's part of the national “Produce Box Project: Nourish Our Frontlines” initiative, which has provided 4,000 front line workers with over 60,000 pounds of fresh vegetables and fruit over the past four weeks.

• Health insurer Florida Blue recently announced it launched a free Covid-19 Virtual Assistant. Located at www.FloridaBlue.com/COVID19 the tool guides users through educational content and questions to help check for coronavirus symptoms and related risk factors. It then directs them to an appropriate provider or community resource for next steps.

• The YMCA of South Palm Beach County is offering full-day relief camp services for the children of first responders, hospital personnel and other essential workers at the Peter Blum Family YMCA in Boca Raton and the DeVos-Blum Family YMCA in Boynton Beach. Click here for more details.

• Law firm Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen announced April 23 that it’s donating $25,000 to Feeding South Florida, to help feed those in need during the Covid-19 pandemic. Each donation $1 reportedly provides 7 meals for a total of 175,000 meals, GRYC said. As part of its coronavirus relief efforts, the law firm also has donated meals to 30 local fire, police and ER departments, and 2,000 face masks to Baptist Health and Cleveland Clinic Florida hospitals in Miami, it said.

• Apartment-hotel operator Domio has offered up to 1,350 complimentary room nights to Miami hospital workers on the front lines of the fight against Covid-19. The initiative, a partnership with the Wynwood Business Improvement District, made available up to 10 complimentary stays of up to 30 nights per stay to each of the following hospitals: Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami Hospital, Mount Sinai Medical Center and Victoria Hospital.

• Iberiabank has pledged $500,000 to food banks across the company’s footprint, including $40,000 to Feeding South Florida. The company said Covid-19 has created hardships for many households due to the job losses, reductions in pay and the inability to send children to daycare, which creates a need for more food donations. 

 • Amazon announced April 22 that it's partnering with food banks across the U.S., including Feeding South Florida, to deliver more than 6 million meals free of charge between now and the end of June to vulnerable populations, including the elderly, impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. Click here for more details.

• WeWork has launched its WeWork for Good initiative to contribute workspaces at no cost to governments and nonprofits playing an active role in supporting the public health response and the economic resiliency of impacted communities due to Covid-19. It is accepting applications through April 30. Click here for more details.

• Inter Miami CF and Captain Morgan have pledged to donate at least $55,000 to the Mourning Family Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Tracy and Alonzo Mourning, to help with its Covid-19 relief efforts. The donation is part of Captain Morgan’s initial pledge of $500,000 to assist MLS communities in the U.S. and Canada impacted by the coronavirus. Click here for more details.

• Gunther Motor Company has partnered with Farm to Fork Meals to donate 1,500 meals to frontline health care workers and first responders across South Florida. Beneficiaries include workers at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Weston, Broward Health North, Coconut Creek Police Department, and Delray Beach Police Department.

•To assist those impacted by Covid-19, the Vernon Carey Foundation recently donated 100 meals prepared by Hooters of Hialeah to Curley’s House Food Bank. Each meal consisted of a burger or chicken sandwich, baked beans and coleslaw. (See attached photos.)

 • The Greater Miami Jewish Federation is working with community partners to assist those severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Services include a kosher food bank offering boxed groceries, meal deliveries for the homebound, grocery shopping for seniors, home health aides, mental health counseling and emergency loans. Click here for more details.

• Weston-based Swift Response, LLC, maker of Flex Seal products, partnered with OrthoSpine Partners to deliver more than 100 intubation boxes to health facilities, including Memorial Hospital, during the pandemic. (See attached photo.) Intubation boxes are temporary protective devices that sit over the head and shoulders of a patient during the intubation process. Click here for more details

• On April 16, Westfield Broward partnered with Chick-fil-A to deliver 41 meals to the local Plantation Police Department to thank them for their services during the health pandemic. (See attached photos.) It’s part of the #WestfieldCares initiative launched by the company in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Click here for more details

 Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits recently announced it teamed up with the Red Cross to provide 30,000 KN95 face masks for first responders and health care workers at South Florida hospitals. Since 2005, Southern Glazer has donated nearly $500,000 to the Red Cross’ disaster response and relief efforts in the tri-county region. Click here for more details.

• The Miami Dolphins Foundation has launched a virtual 50/50 raffle to support Covid-19 response efforts for local hospitals in South Florida. Launched April 20, the raffle concludes April 25. Through the raffle, fans can buy a ticket virtually from home and enter the draw to win half of the 50/50 jackpot, while the other half will benefit Covid-19 relief initiatives. Click here for more details.

Hurricane Grill & Wings recently thanked local health care workers and first responders on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic by delivering wing platters to JFK Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Palms West Hospital in Loxahatchee and the Apopka Police Department. (See attached photo.)

• United Way of Broward County has distributed $800,000 to 23 partner agencies to help them provide emergency assistance to individuals and families in need during the health crisis. (See attached photos.) Support also includes continuous deliveries of food to each of the open Project Lifeline food distribution program sites. Click here for more details.

• On April 20, the City of Miami Gardens began distributing meals to assist those unemployed or otherwise impacted by Covid-19. The city has committed to delivering 300 meals daily at area parks through May 15. Residents are encouraged to arrive in vehicles to pick up the meals. Click here for more details.

• In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, United Way of Miami-Dade is encouraging residents to support its #StrongerMiami initiative by submitting videos where participants share their passion of reading with kids in the community by reading from their favorite books during the video, which will be distributed with more than 500 low-income families from United Way’s Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership. Click here for more details.

• On April 17, Feeding South Florida announced various partnerships geared at assisting the nonprofit, which has reported a 600% increase in demand since the Covid-19 pandemic. Efforts include world-renown DJ David Guetta’s “United at Home” live stream concert fundraiser, April 18 at 6 p.m.; a $200,000 donation by the Miami Heat and the Arison Family Foundation of $200,000, which was matched by Lineage Logistics; a $520,000 donation by Bank of America of Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties; use of TBC Corporation’s 25,000-square-foot warehouse for volunteer activities over the next three months. Click here for more details.

• The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County reports it has distributed more than 27,000 meals since the Covid-19 pandemic. The organization provides meals through its “Grab-and-Go” meal program. (See attached photos.) Additionally, on March 23 it launched its online “On-Demand Club Experience,” where club members can view videos on topics, such as the arts, literacy, fitness, character building and more. Click here for more details

• Publix Super Markets Charities announced on April 16 a second $1 million donation to Feeding America member food banks in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Feeding South Florida will receive $150,000. This is Publix’s second $1 million donation to support hunger relief efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here for more details.

• Rick Case Automotive Group is offering free automotive disinfecting services to area residents during the coronavirus pandemic at all of its South Florida dealerships. The service is designed to efficiently disinfect the interior of vehicles in only 10 minutes

• OXXO Care Cleaners is offering free dry cleaning and laundry services (drop-off and pick-up or pick-up and delivery) to first responders and other health care workers at eight of its South Florida locations. (Clothes exposed to Covid-19 are excluded.) OXXO affiliate Mr. Locker locations in Miami are also participating.

• Mazda North American Operations announced it will provide free standard oil changes and enhanced cleaning services for healthcare workers at participating dealers nationwide. The program begins April 16 and is not limited to Mazda vehicle owners. South Florida dealers offering the free service include Gunther Mazda, Ocean Mazda, Lou Bachrodt Mazda, Mazda of North Miami and Brickell Mazda. Click here for more details.

• Publix Super Markets Charities announced on April 16 a second $1 million donation to Feeding America member food banks in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Feeding South Florida will receive $150,000. This is Publix’s second $1 million donation in support of hunger relief efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here for more details.

• OXXO Care Cleaners is offering free dry cleaning and laundry services (drop-off and pick-up or pick-up and delivery) to first responders and other health care workers at eight of its South Florida locations. (Clothes exposed to Covid-19 are excluded.) OXXO affiliate Mr. Locker locations in Miami are also participating. 

• Codina Partners surprised Downtown Doral residents with music and a “socially distant” visit from the Easter Bunny to cheer up residents during coronavirus stay-at-home orders. The developer also sent flower bouquets to help brighten residents’ days, according to a release. (See attached photos.)

 • International parents of students part of American Heritage School's homestay high school program shipped more than 50,000 face masks from China to Broward County. The supplies were distributed to Cleveland Clinic, Memorial Healthcare System, Memorial Hospital Miramar ICU, West Regional Hospital, Broward Institute of Orthopedic Specialties, Broward Sheriff's Office, the Weston Sheriff's Office, the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County and American Heritage.

 • The Our Fund Foundation in Wilton Manors recently launched its Our Fund Resilience Fund to provide grants to LGBTQ+ nonprofit agencies in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Our Fund Foundation said it pledged $150,000 from its board-restricted fund as a 1:1 match to galvanize donors and raised more than $310,000 in less than two weeks. Click here for more details.

• Camillus House has launched an online fundraising auction to support the nonprofit’s work helping homeless families, women, men and youth remain safe and receive vital services during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. Click here for more details.

• The Rotary Club of Weston recently provided popcorn from PopsCorn and snacks from Yummy in my Tummy to more than 800 employees Cleveland Clinic in Weston. Freedland Harwin Valori, PL Partner Michael Freedland and his son, Blake Freedland, helped coordinate the efforts. (See attached photos.) The Rotary is also working with local restaurants and caterers to deliver free meals to those in need. Click here for more details.

• Health insurer Florida Blue and GuideWell have partnered to launch the COVID-19 Health Innovation Collaborative to identify and support solutions to the risks of reaching over-capacity at health facilities. Click here for more details.

• Grandview Public Market in West Palm Beach and the Town of Palm Beach United Way have established the Community Relief Fund to assist local hospitality workers who are unemployed or in need of financial assistance during the Covid-19 crisis. The goal is to distribute up to $1,000 in short-term grants to each worker, organizers said. Click here for more details.

• On April 13, BBX Capital and Hoffman’s Chocolates began delivering boxed lunches created by Artisan Foods and Hoffman’s Chocolates to health workers at Broward County hospitals. (See attached photos.) About 100 lunches will be delivered through April 22 to 10 different hospitals, including Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Memorial Regional Hospital and Broward Health.

• CBRE has partnered with Frontline Foods to support the organization’s South Florida chapter. Arden Karson, CBRE's senior managing director for South Florida, told the Business Journal that she committed to launching the Fort Lauderdale chapter of Frontline Foods to show appreciation with meals for those on the frontline treating Covid-19 patients, while helping local restaurants remain open in the midst of closures. Click here to donate to Broward County efforts and here to donate to Miami-Dade County efforts. All proceeds go to the local restaurants providing the meals.

• The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce has partnered with United Way of Broward County, Patriot Diamond, the Las Olas Jewish Community Center, Josh Dotoli Group, Allied Kitchen & Bath and Big Heart’s Children’s Foundation, on a mask distribution drive thru event at 12 p.m., April 17 at Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center, 1302 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale. The effort is sponsored by the Zebersky Family Charitable Fund. For details, phone 954-225-4412.

• Sunrise-based toy company Jazwares has donated about 25,000 FDA-approved surgical and N95 masks to police departments and hospitals nationwide, including the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Memorial Healthcare System, Broward Health and Cleveland Clinic, the company said.

• The Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties has raised more than $2.3 million for its COVID-19 Response Fundfor area nonprofits assisting with relief efforts. The Foundation said it has already distributed more than $700,000 to organizations on the front lines of the health pandemic. Click here for more details.

• Fort Laurderdale-based Fleet Advantage recently announced its foundation Kids Around the Corner made a $10,000 donation to the First Responders Children’s Foundation to assist with its efforts to support first responder families enduring financial hardship due to the viral outbreak. Click here for more details.

• The United Health Foundation has committed $1 million to provide urgent assistance to Florida residents experiencing homelessness and food insecurity during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is donating $500,000 to Feeding Florida to work with farmers and restaurants across the state to harvest, prepare and distribute food and $500,000 to Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida to house those with Covid-19 symptoms and expand shelter spaces due to social distancing guidelines. Click here for more details.

• Office Depot announced its donating nearly $300,000 to support community efforts addressing Covid-19 challenges in South Florida. Donations include $25,000 for hunger relief agencies to supplement the National School Lunch Program at Title 1 schools; $50,000 to assist local non-profits with Covid-19 relief programs; support of an Electronic Device Drive to enable remote learning for students; and supplies and products, such as microphones, headsets, green screens and whiteboards, to help teachers working from home. Click here for more details.

• Gil Walsh Design, First Florida Development & Construction and Kellner & Co. recently partnered to donate lunches for health care workers on the front lines at JFK Medical Center in West Palm Beach. (See attached photos.)

• Feeding South Florida, recently received $10,000 to provide 20 meals per week to 115,000 students from Palm Beach County Public Schools, Miami-Dade Public County Schools, and Broward County Public Schools, and their families. The donation is part of The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation’s recent $1.25 million commitment to provide emergency funding to health and hunger relief groups during the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Palm Beach Outlets has partnered with Feeding South Florida to serve as a Drive-Up Food Distribution Center starting April 13 and every subsequent Monday through May from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The goal is to help feed 700 to 800 families each week on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click here for more details.

• Florida International University has opened a Covid-19 testing site in partnership with Miami-Dade County, the Florida Department of Health, and the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition at the fairgrounds next to MMC, on Southwest 107th Avenue and 20th Street. Testing is free seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment only for those exhibiting symptoms associated with The virus. Phone 305-499-8767 for appointments.

• The Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association for Women  Lawyers recently secured and donated 4,000 face masks to Baptist Health and Mount Sinai Medical Center. Each facility received 2,000 masks for distribution to their doctors, nurses and medical staff. Click here for more details.

• Jackson Memorial Hospital received $50,000 and United Way of Miami-Dade $100,000 as part of $1 million donated by BJ's Wholesale Club's BJ's Charitable Foundation for Covid-19 relief efforts across the Sunshine State.

• Sushi Maki and Canton Chinese Restaurants have partnered with several local foundations including Big Brothers Big Sisters of MiamiBranches, Ronald McDonald Charity HouseTouching Miami with Love and other nonprofits to provide 13,000 free meals to Miami families. Program sponsors, the Templeton Family Foundation, The Kirk Foundation and the National Christian Foundation donated $40,000 for the meals. 

• Florida International University has made 28 ventilators available for efforts to treat the growing number of Covid-19 patients. Part of FIU’s training and response equipment, the ventilators were turned over to State of Florida emergency coordinators on April 8. (See attached photos.) FIU faculty, staff and students have also been making 3-D printed non-disposable face shields for health care providers and staffing a drive-through Covid-19 testing site. Click here for more details.

• Westfield Broward partnered with Buffalo Wild Wings to donate meals on April 8 to health workers treating patients with Covid-19 at Westside Regional Medical Center. Westfield Broward provided meals to 150 workers (see attached photos) as part of its #WestfieldCares initiative to provide assistance during the pandemic. Click here for more details.  

• Fast casual eatery Raw Jūce and House of Athlete founder and NFL veteran Brandon Marshall have partnered to support frontline healthcare workers at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Joe DiMaggio Foundation donors, Charlie and Susan Emby, are funding the distribution of immunity-boosting shots and other nutritious foods. (See attached photos.) Raw Jūce and Marshall’s charity PROJECT 375 launched a Go Fund Me effort to cover at least 100,000 meals to health workers. Each donated $5,000, according to the release. Click here for details.

• The José Milton Family and United Property Management will donate 300 furnished apartment units free of charge to provide temporary housing to Jackson Health System’s workers as they continue to battle the Covid-19 pandemic, according to an April 7 release by the city of Miami. The donated apartments include free utilities and equate to an overall donation of over $2.2 million, stated the release.

• The Education Foundation of Palm Beach County has partnered with Florida Power & Light, Comcast, and Office Depot on a Device Drive in response to the School District of Palm Beach County’s immediate need for electronic devices as students transitioned to distance learning due to Covid-19. The goal is to raise $100,000 and secure “gently used” electronic devices for students. Click here for more details.

• To help protect medical professionals on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ohio-based convenience store operator Speedway has donated 7,000 N95 masks and 3,000 surgical masks to 11 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, including Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami. The masks will be used by Nicklaus Children’s clinical staff as they care for young patients during a growing global supplies shortage due to the health threat.

• Coral Gables-based Codina Partners is supporting Doral restaurants by rotating eateries that support its ongoing meals programs at Downtown Doral Charter Elementary and Upper School. Under the program, students and their families are offered "grab-and-go" lunch meals to support them during the coronavirus quarantine. The developer is also hosting musical performances every Saturday to brighten residents’ days through the health crisis. (See attached photos.)

 • The Florida Panthers Foundation announced April 7 that the club will hold a “Territory Trot Virtual 5K” presented by Baptist Health South Florida to support relief efforts for those impacted by Covid-19. Cost to participate is $10 with all proceeds going toward the coronavirus relief efforts. Click here for more details.

• Cleveland Clinic Florida announced April 7 that it launched a philanthropic program to benefit first responders on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic in South Florida and the Treasure Coast. The Cleveland Clinic First Responder Hardship Program is funded by charitable. Click here for additional details.  

• Dania Beach-based Chewy has partnered with the Humane Society of Broward County to help supply a pet food bank serving residents in the area who may need assistance in obtaining food for their pets. The pop-up food bank will be open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at 2070 Griffin Road in Fort Lauderdale while supplies last.

• City Furniture is producing and donating 30,000 protective masks to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to help safeguard patients and families from Covid-19. (See attached photo.) The masks will be used as “walk-around barrier masks” for patients and families to wear in the hallways or common areas of the hospital, it announced. Seamstresses at City Furniture’s subsidiary Kevin Charles Fine Upholstery in New Albany, Mississippi are creating the masks and masks are being shipped for free to the hospital by Southeastern Freight Lines.

 • Health insurer Florida Blue recently announced it will waive out-of-pocket costs for members who need treatment for Covid-19. It's the company’s latest coverage and policy adjustment in light of the public health crisis. Click here for additional details.

• The Gift of the Life Marrow Registry recently donated 10,000 swabs to Baptist Health’s Boca Raton Regional Hospital to aid in testing patients for Covid-19. The registry uses the swabs to test tissue type when volunteer donors join the registry to determine donor compatibility with patients batting blood diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma and sickle cell and donated swabs to the hospital due to the shortage of supplies impacting hospitals. Click here to read more.

• The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau recently launched Miami Salutes, an initiative that calls on the hospitality industry to share their deals for frontline responders. Miami Salutes lists all of the restaurants participating in the program (see attached photos) and the specials offered to hospital workers, medical professionals, fire fighters, paramedics, law enforcement officers and National Guard. Click here for more details.

• Little Smiles, a nonprofit that helps kids facing traumas like terminal illness and abandonment, recently launched a campaign to raise $25,000 to feed the medical staffs at South Florida hospitals. In March, the organization provided meals to over 500 nurses, doctors, and support staff throughout South Florida, including meals prepared by Evo Italian (see attached photos) in Tequesta, Fla, recently distributed at Jupiter Medical Center. Click here for more details.

• Stoner’s Pizza Joint in Fort Lauderdale has committed to donate 10,000 pizza slices to those in need to help students, medical staff, first responders, and families that are food insecure during the coronavirus pandemic. Owner John Stetson said the eatery has already donated 2,000 slices to the Salvation Army, Broward Health, Covenant House Florida (see attached photos), and others.

 • The Pantry of Broward, which serves seniors on low, fixed incomes, delivered 10,000-plus pounds of food the week of March 30. It distributes 55-pound boxes of food, such as fruits, vegetables and bread to more than 500 clients and their families each month. Click here for details.

• Law firm Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen recently donated meals to eight fire stations in Davie and Fort Lauderdale (see attached photos) to assist fire fighters working around the clock during the pandemic. It’s part of the companies efforts to donate food and supplies to about 30 different police departments, fire stations and ER units throughout Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties, it said.

 • The Nest, a rooftop bar at the Lincoln Eatery food hall, has partnered with artist Alana Gissen who is selling some of her Miami-inspired art pieces to support the bar’s out of work staff.

• Automotive company JM Family recently donated $150,000 to assist food banks working to aid families during the Covid-19 pandemic. The donation benefits various organizations across the nation, including Feeding South Florida. Click here for more details.

• Sunset Harbour eatery Diya Indian Kitchen recently surprised workers at Jackson Memorial Hospital and Mount Sinai Medical Center with free lunches to thank them as they assist with testing potential Covid-19 patients. (See attached photos.) It also donated meals to workers at Camillus House, which serves the indigent and homeless populations.

• The Farm to Family program created by Fresh RX Kids and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach Country continue to feed local families while supporting area farmers. It has created a Go Fund Me page for donations to help subsidize the increased demand for food boxes during the coronavirus pandemic. Click here for details.

• The Coconut Grove Business Improvement District (BID) recently launched a delivery food program to support local restaurants that remain open for business. Under the program the BID uses its fleet of Freebee carts (see attached photos) as delivery vehicles to help get meals from restaurants to residents free of cost. Click here for more details.

• The Miami Marlins Foundation announced April 2 the launch of its Home Plate Meals Relief Fund with an initial investment of $100,000 to address urgent food concerns due to Covid-19 across South Florida. Health insurer Florida Blue contributed $50,000 to the fund, and the foundation will partner with Feeding South Florida on weekly drive-thru food distributions. The Marlins also committed $1 million to assist gameday staff with the disruption in their wages due to the coronavirus. Click here to learn more.

• Jackson Health Foundation recently launched its We Are Jackson Health fundraising initiative designed to help the county’s public hospital, Jackson Health System, fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Donations will address urgent needs at Jackson such as patient care, medical supplies, equipment and staff support. Click here for details.

• Jorge Pérez, founder of The Related Group and The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation, is donating $350,000 for coronavirus relief efforts to benefit local organizations. Donations include $200,000 to The Miami Foundation’s Community Recovery Fund to support local arts and cultural organizations. The Related Philanthropic Foundation will donate $100,000 to United Way of Miami-Dade’s Miami Pandemic Response Fund to support working families and small businesses. Related is also awarding $50,000 to assist with Miami-Dade County Schools’ efforts to feed students.

• The Knight Foundation recently announced its contributing $450,000 to United Way Miami’s “Operation Helping Hands,” $250,000 to The Miami Foundation Community Recovery Fund and $800,000 to the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties COVID-19 Response Fund. Click here to learn more.

• NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises announced April 1 it has launched “Nuestros Negocios” (“Our Businesses”), a nationwide campaign under its social responsibility platform “El Poder En Ti” (The Power in You). A partnership with the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the multiplatform campaign will tap into Telemundo’s network, local stations, digital and social platforms to spotlight small and medium-sized Hispanic-owned businesses impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and help promote their services. It will also provide resources to businesses in English or Spanish, including guidance on the latest government assistance programs. Click here for details.

• Health insurer Florida Blue announced April 1 that it will double the company’s match to United Way on all employee contributions made during its 2020 employee giving campaign, to provide additional support in communities across Florida and the United States in response to urgent needs around the Covid-19 public health crisis. The company will match $2 for every $1 donated to the employee’s local United Way impact fund.

• Barry University announced March 30 it will allow 17 students graduating in May from its College of Nursing and Health Sciences Cardiovascular Perfusion Program to graduate on April 11 in response to the dire need for health workers helping to battle the health pandemic. Click here for more details.

OrthoSpine Partners in Scottsdale has teamed up with Weston-based Swift Response to help protect the nation’s first responders. OrthoSpine announced April 1 that a donation from Swift Response will go toward the production of a life-saving device known as the Intubation Box. More than 100 boxes will be distributed across the U.S. this week alone, it said. Click here for more details.

• The Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA) recently launched its “Go Local, Go Direct” campaign. The campaign offers discounts of 10% or more on delivery orders placed directly from dozens of downtown eateries and provides participating restaurants with targeted digital, social media, and email marketing services to reach the DDA’s network of over 100,000 people. Click here for more details.

• Boca Raton-based Rocket Matter recently announced Rocket Aid, a virtual conference for lawyers on how to connect during this period of social distancing. The conference, which streams live April 16 & 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., costs $25. Participants registration costs will be donated in full to United Way’s Covid-19 Fund, Pro Bono Net and Feeding America, Rocket Matter said. Click here for details.

• Baptist Health recently announced its offering free online urgent care visits for a limited time for those experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms using the code CARE19. Users can access the service 24/7 on demand using the code CARE19 after downloading the app on their phones, tablets or computers. Click here for details.

• The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau has launching Miami Eats - Order Out to help restaurants and their employees by asking residents to consider ordering out when possible while taking advantage of some great deals. Click here for details.

• Fort Lauderdale's restaurant community, including Old School Hospitality, Shooters Waterfront and others, has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser called "Hands for Hospitality," to provide financial support to hourly workers furloughed or unemployed due to restaurant shut downs or limited service during the coronavirus pandemic. Click here for details or to contribute to the fund.

• New co-working space Thynk Global in Miami is offering rent-free work spaces to entrepreneurs displaced by coronavirus. They'll also be offering a series of free workshops to help them get back on their feet, including financial planning, marketing and public relations. Click here to learn more about the company.

• Feeding South Florida is looking for volunteers, sanitation and cleaning supplies and monetary donations to assist with Covid-19 relief efforts across South Florida. On March 31, the nonprofit distributed fresh produce, protein, dairy and shelf-stable items to 500 families in Lake Worth. Another 500 families will receive packages April 1 in Delray Beach, and another 500 are scheduled for April 2 in Boynton Beach. Click here for details on food distributions and donations.

• Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation staffers recently shared food staples to its frontline workers as part of the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation’s recent efforts to aid hospital workers. (See attached photos.) The Rizzo foundation distributed more than 800 meals to healthcare workers at Joe Dimaggio’s in Hollywood and at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and Advocate Illinois Masonic Meunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation recently awarded an emergency grant of $10,000 for Feeding South Florida. It’s one of hundreds of grants awarded nationwide by the group to help communities during this time of need, the foundation said. Click here to learn more.

• After Miami Beach ordered hotels to shutter to battle the spread of Covid-19, the Shelborne South Beach hotel donated more than 400 pounds of dairy, proteins and bakery items to Feeding South Florida, which distributed more than 62 million pounds of food to over 700,000 South Floridians in 2019.

• Miami-based Red Rooster Overtown has partnered with World Central Kitchen and Food Rescue US to offer to-go meals. Launched March 27, the partnership will offer packaged to-go meals on M• On March 28, the Fort Lauderdale Country Club in Plantation will provide essentials in demand during the coronavirus crisis to its senior members 65 or older. Products include paper goods, cleaning items, food, and more. Call 954-587-4700 to preorder packets and visit www.fortlauderdalecc.com for details.

The Wells Fargo Foundation will donate $45,000 to United Way of Broward County and $45,000 to United Way of Miami-Dade County to support the community response to Covid-19 in South Florida. The funding is part of a $300,000 donation to nonprofits across the state. Click here to learn more on the company’s coronavirus-related relief efforts.

• Miami Beach-based Oolite Arts announced March 26 the creation of a relief fund for artists impacted by Covid-19, which has caused the closing of exhibitions, galleries and layoffs in the arts community and beyond. Visual artists living in Miami-Dade County can apply for up to $500 in relief. Click here for additional details.

• The Food Network & Cooking Channel have launched the SOBEWFF & FIU Chaplin School Hospitality Industry Relief Fund to aid independently-owned and operated restaurants and bars impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. The fund was launched with $1 million, including a founding donation of $500,000 by the Chaplin School. Click here for details and an application.

United Way of Miami-Dade County and the Miami Herald launched Operation Helping Hands, an emergency response initiative to aid small businesses and families with rent/mortgage assistance, food, medication and more. Health Foundation of South Florida, The Miami Foundation, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau and The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation provided the combined seed funding of $500,000. Click here for more details. 

Gift of Life Marrow Registry announced March 27 that it donated 10,000 swabs to Baptist Health's Boca Raton Regional Hospital to aid in testing patients for Covid-19. The donation comes as area hospitals, like others across the country, are short of the supplies needed to identify coronavirus cases.

Health insurer Florida Blue announced March 19 that it will make four gifts of $500,000 each to address urgent Covid-19 health and safety issues across the state. The funding will address food needs for seniors and kids, support hourly workers, address behavioral health needs and more. It also implemented an extended grace period through May 31, 2020 for customers unable to pay premiums that would otherwise have been subject to termination of coverage. Click here for details.

• On March 25 and 26, Feeding South Florida, a charitable organization that distributed over 62 million pounds of food to more than 700,000 people in 2019, partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade for drive-thru food distributions for the club’s members and families.

• Bacardi Ltd. announced on March 26 that it launched its #RaiseYourSpirits campaign to provide financial support, meals and other necessities to those in the food and beverage industry. The company, which has its U.S. operations in Miami, committed $3 million in financial aid. Click here to read more.

View Slideshow 32 photos
Coronavirus - Coral Gables
Coronavirus - Lincoln Road Mall
Coronavirus - Lincoln Road Mall
Coronavirus - Esseential Businesses
Coronavirus - Miami International Airport
Coronavirus - Miami International Airport
Coronavirus - Miami International Airport

A runner passes by the Miracle Theater, home to the Actors Playhouse, on the Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. Miami Dade County is currently under a shelter in place order.


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South Florida Charitable Organizations

Most recently reported year's total revenue

Rank Prior Rank Organization / Prior (*Not ranked in 2018) / URL
1
1
Food for the Poor
2
2
Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe
3
10
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
View this list

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