MIAMI, 10/03 – The Miami HEAT, in conjunction with Miami-Dade County Commissioners Barbara J. Jordan, Audrey M. Edmonson, and Miami-Dade County, have announced that it will hold a hurricane relief drive to help support the victims in Haiti who were devastated by this summer’s hurricane season. All fans who are attending the HEAT’s first pre-season game against the Detroit Pistons this Sunday, October 5 at the AmericanAirlines Arena are encouraged to donate non-perishable food, water, and clothing. Donations will be accepted between 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. outside of Gate 1A, located between Gates 1 and 2.

This summer, Hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike struck the nation of Haiti, leaving vast areas of the country under water and destroyed homes, crops, and properties. With the inclusion of rice, bananas, maize, beans, and wheat, relief organizers have estimated a total agricultural loss of 70 percent.

Non-profit charitable organizations Food for the Poor, Operation Helping Hands, and World Vision will be handling the distribution of donated items throughout Haiti and the rest of the Caribbean.

“One thing we stress here at the HEAT is community outreach, and the Caribbean is an extension of South Florida,” said HEAT President of Business Operations Eric Woolworth. “Even though we are living in economically tough times, we ask the community in general and HEAT fans specifically to please help our neighbors in Haiti. No contribution is too small.”