South Floridians are coming together to help the tornado victims in Oklahoma by collecting non-perishable items.
At a McDonald's restaurant off of Pines Boulevard and Flamingo Road, dozens stopped by to drop off items, writing messages of hope on the labels of the canned goods.
"It really hits home because we live in Florida and we can easily get a tornado, a hurricane," said Cindy Soriano of Pembroke Pines who left a large donation. "From one day to the next, these people lost everything they had and that's significant."
Natasha Rivera brought soap, shampoo and conditioner.
"Little things that we kind of forget about like toothpaste, toothbrushes, things that we know that they probably need," she said.
South Florida Charities Giving Helping Hand to Oklahoma Tornado Victims
While some dropped off cases of water, others like Diana Saint Fort bought toys for the smallest victims who lost it all. Saint Fort, a mother from Haiti, said she could relate after seeing the first-hand devastation left by the earthquake that tore through her country.
"I can only imagine what is going on in Oklahoma, so I wanted to donate," she said.
The donation drive will run until Friday evening when the items will be placed on trucks and driven directly to the hardest hit areas.
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Also heading to the tornado ravaged towns from Miami is Salvation Army Captain Kelly Durant who will be counseling victims.
"Sometimes people don't want to keep talking about it, other times people don't even say words, they just hug me and cry and you know, every person is different," he said.
Blake Shelton Putting Together Oklahoma Benefit
The Salvation Army is taking monetary donations through their website disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.
The disaster relief drive, organized by McDonalds and radio station Power 96 will run until Friday at the following locations:
12480 Pines Blvd.
Pembroke Pines, Fl 33027
6 a.m. - 8 p.m.
7901 SW 40th Street
Miami, Fl 33155
6 a.m. - 7 p.m.
300 East Sunrise Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33304
6 a.m. - 7 p.m.
2880 NE 8th Street
Homestead, Fl 33033
6 a.m. - 10 a.m.
