Merline Barton is the president and confounder of the Thelma Gibson Health Initiative – a group that helps residents and the elderly of low income communities become healthy, productive, and self-sufficient.
“We provide educational workshops, nutritional workshops for them,” Barton said. “We also have a community program, which is substance abuse, HIV AIDS, mental illness."
During the last 16 years of the initiatives existence, Barton has seen families during their darkest times that eventually turn into their best days.
“We have quite an amount of youth and families that have benefited, and they're all around me. I keep them there to remind me every day of why we do this program,” said Barton
This program is one of several that will benefit from the annual Give Miami Day, hosted by the Miami Foundation this Thursday.
“It's a day of giving for the entire community of Miami Dade County,” said Rebecca Mandelman, the VP for Engagment. “Over 660 non-profits will be participating, raising funds for their programs that are so crucial for the community.”
So who are the people giving? It's you. People across Miami-Dade can donate to non-profits ranging from the arts, education, health, to youth sports initiatives.
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“With the donation as little as $25 and up from there,” said Mandelman. "A portion of every single donation will be matched in part thanks to the generosity of the Miami foundation and our partners.”
For Barton she says the donations will go a long way.
“The donors I should say, should feel very satisfied that I have made a difference in someone's life today.”
