Home » News » Generosity alive and well in Miami despite worsening economy for many
Gene Hogg grew up homeless for the first eight years of his life, as the family followed his alcoholic father from town to town as he got work as a painter.
On Thursday, he was all about paying it forward.
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Hogg echoed her remarks on the important work being done by these nonprofits.
“We deal with natural disasters every day, because whether 50 people have lost their homes or one individual, it’s the same effect,” Hogg said. “When somebody’s hungry, somebody’s lost their home, something tragic happened in their lives. That’s the disaster moment, and that’s why the Army steps in.”
The nonprofits were ready this year. The Miami Foundation provides coaching — as well as pompoms, bells, and other noisemakers — so groups can hone their message and leverage the contagious energy of collective generosity.
There were also prizes and bonuses for groups that got the most donations.
The magic worked right up until the midnight deadline on Friday. You can view the leaderboard here.
“We had a lot of people reaching out at like 11:50 at night with complex transactions and wanting to wire resources or bring checks over,” Fishman Lipsey said. “At the end of the day, all we’re trying to do is just inspire people to reach into their pocket and open up their heart and give.”
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JOHN PACENTI is a correspondent of the Key Biscayne Independent. John has worked for The Associated Press, the Palm Beach Post, Daily Business Review, and WPTV-TV.