TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) \u2014\u00a0As search and rescue efforts continue across Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes that struck several parts of the country, the Venezuelan community in the Tampa Bay area is turning heartbreak into action.<\/p>\n
Throughout the day, dozens of people arrived at donation centers across Pinellas and Hillsborough counties carrying boxes of medical supplies, food, hygiene products, and other essential items. Some are still waiting to hear from loved ones in the affected areas. Others simply want to do whatever they can to help.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy heart is broken. My heart isn\u2019t here\u2014it\u2019s back home,\u201d said Mar\u00eda Gabriela Vargas Gonz\u00e1lez as she dropped off donations at Arepas Ma\u00edta, one of several local businesses that quickly transformed into collection sites.<\/p>\n
Like many Venezuelans living in the United States, Vargas says being far away brings a sense of helplessness. While they cannot participate in rescue operations, they believe every donated item can make a difference for families struggling to survive.<\/p>\n
That feeling is shared by Gustavo Torres, who says six members of his family in La Guaira remain unreachable.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t slept. My mind is back home,\u201d he said while volunteering to organize donations.<\/p>\n
Businesses become relief centers<\/p>\n
For Paola Bord\u00f3n, owner of Arepas Ma\u00edta, serving food became secondary the moment she saw the scale of the disaster.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, I don\u2019t care about the money,\u201d she said. \u201cWhat matters is what\u2019s happening in Venezuela because I still have family there.\u201d<\/p>\n
The response from the community has been overwhelming. Volunteers say the next major challenge will be transporting the growing number of donations to those who need them most.<\/p>\n
They are now asking shipping companies, nonprofit organizations, and humanitarian partners to help make that possible.<\/p>\n
Even the youngest volunteers are stepping up<\/p>\n
The relief effort has become a family affair.<\/p>\n
Nine-year-old Shannon Rodr\u00edguez spent hours helping sort bandages, pain relievers, first-aid supplies, and other medical donations.<\/p>\n
Her work reflected the spirit seen throughout the collection site, where children and adults stood side by side with one goal: helping Venezuela.<\/p>\n
Rescue teams preparing to deploy<\/p>\n
The response extends beyond collecting donations.<\/p>\n
In Hillsborough County, the nonprofit rescue organization Boricuas de Coraz\u00f3n has begun gathering emergency supplies while preparing a specialized rescue team that hopes to deploy to Venezuela.<\/p>\n
Executive Director Linda P\u00e9rez says disaster responders know firsthand the suffering they are likely to encounter, but believes this is a moment when compassion must come before politics.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, the people of Venezuela need us,\u201d she said. \u201cThey don\u2019t need politics, they don\u2019t need divisions\u2014they need people willing to help.\u201d<\/p>\n
More donation centers continue to open<\/p>\n
As the humanitarian response grows, additional collection sites are opening throughout the Tampa Bay area.<\/p>\n
As the hours pass, more donation collection sites continue to open across the Tampa Bay area.<\/p>\n
Here is the current list of locations where you can drop off donations:<\/p>\n
Boricuas de Coraz\u00f3n \u2013 5120 Kelly Rd., Tampa, FL 33615<\/p>\n
Arepas Ma\u00edta Clearwater \u2013 1701 Drew St., Unit 8, Clearwater, FL 33755<\/p>\n
Arepas Ma\u00edta Tampa \u2013 3701 N. Central Ave., Tampa, FL 33603<\/p>\n
Venezuela To Go \u2013 1412 W. Waters Ave., Suite 105, Tampa, FL 33604<\/p>\n
Pabell\u00f3n Restaurant \u2013 7530 W. Waters Ave., Tampa, FL 33615<\/p>\n
Stay in Step \u2013 13085 N. Telecom Pkwy., Temple Terrace, FL 33637<\/p>\n
Matcon Construction \u2013 3023 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL 33603<\/p>\n
Manco Space Lutz \u2013 2831 Allegra Way, Lutz, FL 33559<\/p>\n
Manco Space Wesley Chapel \u2013 30740 CR 54, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543<\/p>\n
Madrinas Insurance Tampa \u2013 7901 N. Armenia Ave., Suites C & D, Tampa, FL 33604<\/p>\n
Floor Center of Tampa Bay \u2013 5107 W. Idlewild Ave., Tampa, FL 33634<\/p>\n
This list will continue to be updated as additional collection sites join the relief effort for earthquake victims in Venezuela.<\/p>\n
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