DORAL, FLA. (WSVN) – The death toll is climbing in Venezuela as search and rescue efforts in South Florida continue around the clock.<\/p>\n
Venezuelans living in South Florida and other aid organizations are packing supplies to assist. <\/p>\n
From the moment doors opened at the GEM warehouse in Doral, there wasn\u2019t a second to waste.<\/p>\n
Cars stretched for blocks outside the warehouse as South Florida answered Venezuela\u2019s cry for help.<\/p>\n
While rescue crews continue their search in Venezuela, miles away in Doral, volunteers formed a fast-moving human assembly line.<\/p>\n
Volunteers unloaded box after box of diapers, bottled water, non-perishable food, first-aid supplies, and other essentials destined for earthquake survivors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are so many limited resources over there that we\u2019re trying to bring from Miami to Caracas. The other thing toothbrushes, toothpaste. I mean anything that you can think of that you use in your daily day to take over there that they are going to be able to reuse,\u201d said Nicole Reinoso, councilwoman of the City of Doral. <\/p>\n
Every corner of the warehouse was filled with purpose. Some sorted donations and others labeled boxes, while forklifts moved heavy pallets that will soon begin their journey to Venezuela.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government in Venezuela has not taken action until today, that\u2019s been 74 hours, and I feel like we\u2019ve done more in two days, us the people outside of the country, than what they\u2019ve done inside the country,\u201d said a volunteer. <\/p>\n
\u201cSuper proud, super proud because we want to help. How I tell you, the good is in here; you need to help,\u201d said a volunteer. <\/p>\n
The effort has been extended far beyond the GEM warehouse.<\/p>\n
Drop-off sites across Miami-Dade remained busy throughout the weekend, including Doral Legacy Park and at El Arepazo<\/a>, a restaurant in Doral, where community members came together to help.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can do much from afar; all we can do help, collect what they need in Venezuela nowadays,\u201d said a volunteer. <\/p>\n \u201cMy family is doing very well, but even though they\u2019re good, I still want to help out and be present in what\u2019s going on,\u201d said a volunteer. <\/p>\n At W Aviation FBO inside Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, a private plane packed with emergency supplies has already made it to Caracas.<\/p>\n Organizers said they\u2019re now working to fill a second flight, hoping to deliver even more life-saving aid in the days ahead.<\/p>\n \u201cRight now, as we all know, Venezuela, the area of La Guaira, is completely devastated,\u201d said an organizer. <\/p>\n GEM plans on sending thousands of items to Venezuela. <\/p>\n For a list of official collecting sites across Miami-Dade,\u00a0click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n