Amid a wave of international aid, due to the damage caused by the storms that hit Rio Grande do Sul, the Brazilian community living in Orlando, in the United States, is mobilizing to organize donations for the state. The campaign takes place at several collection points, mainly in Brazilian businesses that have now become collection centers, with donations arriving constantly.
Pastor Ronaldo Fiore, who coordinates one of these initiatives, shows a truck full of donations. “We received this truck here from Tampa. Tonight, we will receive eight trucks coming here from New York”, he says in an interview with SBT Brasil.
The work is intense. Volunteers work day and night sorting donations: clothes, shoes, bedding, diapers, among other items. Nurse Thais Botelho, one of the volunteers, says that support is special when donations involve children’s items. “I’m a mother of three children. When children’s things arrive here… it’s a unique feeling, there’s nothing to talk about”, she comments.
It’s not just Brazilians who are mobilizing to help. “The way the Americans were really moved, made it happen and brought donations impacted us. We were in shock”, reports businesswoman Victoria Nassif.
The mobilization has also moved other sectors. Nelson Ramos Júnior, owner of a steakhouse in Orlando, opened the restaurant to receive donations and also organized a party to raise funds. “We are going to have a party on Saturday and 100% of the money will be donated. The food was donated by me and the drinks by a company in Miami”, he explains, informing that all the money will be used to buy basic food baskets and water in Brazil.
The mobilization of the Brazilian community in Orlando is so strong that it raised awareness of a Brazilian airline, which agreed to transport all donations free of charge to Rio Grande do Sul next week. For many Brazilians who live far from the country, contributing to flood victims in southern Brazil is a way of maintaining a connection with their homeland.
“It’s incredible to see the strength of the Brazilian community outside of Brazil, how they come together in times of adversity like now. Everyone drops everything and comes here to help as quickly as possible. What’s happening is really beautiful”, confesses the businessman Alejandro Pezzini.
