10/13/2024
Heading back to Miami after a long Saturday driving through the backroads of Florida. Yesterday, after arriving home from Chicago, I went straight to Target and Walmart to buy supplies for folks in Southwest, Florida. My dear friend and college mentor, Jessica White, has been sharing her experiences dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. I reached out to her, heartbroken and eager to help. She said, “Gaby, I’ll be okay, but there are others who need more help.” That pushed me to reach out to another friend I met 20 years ago when I was a college student and she was a teacher supporting undocumented students. She’s now the principal of a bilingual school that serves mostly migrant families. Both of these women are saints. I texted Dani Higgins and asked, “I’m going to buy supplies—what do you need?”
After getting her list, I let my family know. My husband said, “Okay, what time are we leaving?” I told him, “no, no, I’ll drive by myself. You stay home” and he said, “NO!”He did ask, “Do you not like being home” and I told him, “Of course I do, but right now I can’t sleep knowing that I have the ability to help and I’m just at home.”
I went to Target first, where I spent close to $400 on supplies, and then Walmart, where I spent another $900. I reached out to a few people and posted here, hoping for a little help, even though I know times are tight for everyone.
We left a bit late this morning, stopped by Home Depot to grab a few more items, and as we got closer, we bought coolers, ice, water, juices for the kids, bread, mini pastries, and gas. Dani shared with me that these families—who already have so little—now have no power, no hot food, and no water. Many of these families, who pick the food that nourishes us, were denied access to hurricane shelters because they didn’t have ID. When Dani asked a deputy where else she could take them, he gave her an address—which ended up being the county jail. She proceeded to beg a church to let them stay there instead and the pastor opened their doors, thankfully.
When we arrived at the mobile home camp, a half-dozen kids ran toward us, screaming “Ms. Dani!” She hugged each of them, and we handed out pound cakes, water, and juice boxes. While they were happy to get those treats, what they really appreciated was seeing people who came to show them love. Before leaving, a few kids came back for one more hug, and Ms. Dani, in her almost perfect Spanish said, “Recuerda, Ms. Dani lo ama”
I’m exhausted, and I know my sister, her two-year-old, and my husband are too, but Dani and these families—many of whom were working in the fields picking fruit and vegetables TODAY—are even more exhausted. I just want to say thank you to everyone who reached out, helped, liked, or didn’t turn thCarlos Eduardo Espina you to my dear friend Carlos Eduardo Espina for his generous gift, to my sister for her $100, her muscle, and her company, and to my husband for his strength and for understanding that even when we’re stressed about paying two mortgages, bills, student loans, etc. when we need to help, we do it.
The need will be greater for these families, unlike what is being said, these families get no assistance from the Federal government and even if they are entitled they are usually intimidated or afraid to ask for support. If you want to support Dani and these families, you can donate here: https://children.rcma.org/site/Donation2?1400.donation=form1&df_id=1400&mfc_pref=T&_gl=1*169s59c*_gcl_au*MjA2NzUxMTI2NS4xNzI4NzgxMDA4*_ga*MTkwNTgxNjU3OS4xNzI4NzgxMDA4*_ga_PH52L4F8XL*MTcyODc4MTAwNy4xLjAuMTcyODc4MTAxMS4wLjAuMA
Ps. Lo**ta was a hit with the kids. ❤️ Thanks are in order for her as well. 🥰
