American Red Cross Supports Families & Community Affected by Surfside Building Collapse

June 25, 2021

SURFSIDE, Fla. (June 24, 2021) – The American Red Cross is partnering with local authorities and organizations to continue supporting the families and community affected by the building collapse near 88^th Street and Collins Avenue in Surfside, Florida. The Red Cross has opened a reception center and mobilized supplies to provide support. Red Cross trained health services, disaster mental health and spiritual care volunteers are on hand to help those affected by this tragedy. The Red Cross is also helping evacuated residents find a safe place to stay.

The Red Cross is working alongside local authorities to get people the help they need. Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue is leading the reunification of relatives, so those looking for help should call the hotline at 305-614-1819. If you live at Champlain Towers, please complete a Wellness Check form at https://bit.ly/2TYsvUD, or register yourself at safeandwell.org.

The Red Cross understands that people want to help and appreciates that support. Right now, the Red Cross has what it needs to support the community and is not accepting financial donations designated specifically for this event.

We are asking people to not collect and send items like stuffed animals or dolls, blankets, clothing, water and food. It takes time and money to store, sort, clean and distribute these items, which diverts limited time and resources away from helping those most affected.

COPING AND PREPAREDNESS TIPS

This is a difficult time for everyone affected and it’s important for people to connect with and support each other. The Red Cross offers the following tips to help people stay strong:

Events like this can cause feelings of uncertainty and anxiety since no one knows what could potentially happen next. Remember that it's okay to feel nervous.
Stay informed but limit media exposure of the event, especially for children. Children are especially vulnerable to stress reactions.
Parents should let children talk about their fears and then reassure them about their safety. Talk with them in ways that they can easily understand. Let them guide the conversation; share details only when they ask about them.
Be patient with yourself and others. It’s common to have any number of temporary stress reactions such as anger, frustration and anxiety.
Spend more time with family and friends and offer your support. Hug one another and listen.
Watch for signs of stress in your family, friends and children. Get help from others if needed.
Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, drink plenty of water and get enough rest.
To reach out for free 24/7 counseling or support, contact the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990.

PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES

This tragedy shows that emergencies can happen in any community at any time. And it’s critical to know what to do when an emergency occurs. Check information at the above link to learn how to get your household prepared. Register for a Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED course at redcross.org so that you can be better prepared to help in future emergencies. People can also download the free Red Cross First Aid App

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Facebook or Twitter at @SFLRedCross.