On Surfside and the strength of our community

This week’s tragedy in Surfside brought international attention to Miami for all the wrong reasons.

Many people look at Miami and see one of the world’s most diverse and dynamic cities, home to people from all cultures, all walks of life, and all corners of the globe. Indeed, we celebrate these differences every day.

But when it’s time to overcome adversity and rise up to help our neighbors, we are One Miami – a small town disguised as a big city that rallies around loss and comes out stronger on the other end.

There are no words to ease the heart-wrenching loss suffered by the victims and their families. Nor can we adequately console those whose friends and relatives are still unaccounted for.

As the world watches, prays, and yearns for a glimmer of hope, we salute the first responders who are risking everything in the name of service to their community.

Please join our SMS family in supporting four local organizations that are delivering a direct impact:

• SupportSurfside.org: Miami-Dade County has galvanized a coalition of nonprofit organizations – including the Knight Foundation, The Miami Foundation, and the Miami HEAT Foundation – to establish a ‘hardship fund’ that will provide direct financial assistance to the surviving victims of the collapse, as well as the families of the deceased.

• Operation Helping Hands: United Way of Miami-Dade County is teaming up with the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald through Operation Helping Hands, which will distribute funds to affected families, helping them cover the cost of near- and long-term needs. They are also looking for volunteers who can assist in the emergency response.

• Greater Miami Jewish Federation: The Greater Miami Jewish Federation has partnered with Jewish Community Services to provide financial assistance, chaplaincy support, crisis counseling and social services. 100 percent of funds collected through this website will be used to provide assistance to those affected.

• American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is at the scene of the building collapse, providing support services for first responders and assisting local authorities in procuring federal assistance and coordinating logistics on-site. They’ve setup a website where donations can be made, and have also created a dedicated site that connects surviving victims with friends and relatives.