Twenty years ago, the City of Homestead experienced devastation as Hurricane Andrew swept through hundreds of homes and businesses on August 24, 1992. Today, the City of Homestead is commemorating the tragedy that brought so many together and celebrating the growth and reconstruction of the city after the disaster.
On, Tuesday, August 21st at noon, a City of Homestead commemorative event for Hurricane Andrew’s 20th Anniversary will be held at the Homestead-Miami Speedway Champion’s Club. Award-winning meteorologist John Morales will be the event’s keynote speaker, along with Rick Knabb, Ph.D. Director of the National Hurricane Center. Homestead residents who experienced Hurricane Andrew will speak about the struggle as well as the kindness of strangers who helped them get through the tragedy.
The kindness that people showed towards one another and willingness to help strangers overcome this disaster left a lasting impression on Councilwoman Judy Waldman, who founded the Kindness Awards during Andrew’s 10th Anniversary and is organizing this year’s event. The Kindness Awards are a way for residents to recognize those acts, and to remember the resilience of the human spirit and its willingness to assist in times of need. Past winners of the Kindness Awards will be honored and this year’s winners will be announced at the August 21st event.
“You can still see the gentle spirit within us, as we see the love and care that these acts of kindness carry within them. Let’s recognize and celebrate together as we share in these stories of today’s modern day heroes”, said Councilwoman Waldman.
Please join the City of Homestead as we reflect on what it took to rebuild and how far we have come.
Limited tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis. Those interested in attending may RSVP at (305) 224-4455 or RSVP@cityofhomestead.com. Entries of stories of kindness for this year’s awards will be accepted until August 17th. Residents and business owners are invited to send emails or letters detailing an act of kindness that has been bestowed on them or someone else by others. The stories will be considered for this year’s Kindness Awards and the most compelling ones will be read during the September City Council meeting and the persons involved will be recognized.
Please email your stories to Ana Paneque at apaneque@cityofhomestead.com.
Hear the WLRN story on the Kindness Awards during Hurricane Andrew’s 20th Anniversary:
http://wlrnunderthesun.org/2012/08/kindness-awards/