Broward County will begin collecting donations to provide aid for hurricane victims in Haiti, Cuba, Turks and Caicos, Bahamas and other Caribbean islands affected by the storms.

Broward County residents are encouraged to donate:
• Canned goods (no items within six months from expiration)
• Bottled water
• Men's, women's, children's and infants' clothing in good wearable condition
• Baby items, such as: bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, etc.
• First Aid and personal hygiene items
• Gently-used, clean bedding
• Flashlights, radios, batteries, etc.

Beginning on Thursday, September 18, 2008 collection boxes will be set up at the following locations:

Broward County Governmental Center Lobby
115 S. Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale

African-American Research Library and Cultural Center
2650 Sistrunk Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale

Northwest Regional Library
3151 University Drive
Coral Springs

Southwest Regional Library
16835 Sheridan St.
Pembroke Pines

West Regional Library
8601 W. Broward Blvd.
Plantation

In addition, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners is encouraging Broward County employees to conveniently make cash donations through a disaster relief payroll deduction program. The money collected will go to the American Red Cross for both the Caribbean and Gulf Coast victims.

Port Everglades is also waiving tariff charges for ocean-going shipping companies sending storm relief supplies, and urging all shipping lines and terminal operators at Port Everglades to participate.

The Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) and many other community organizations are also collecting hurricane relief donations at locations throughout Broward County and the South Florida Region. For a listing of BSO collection sites, visit www.sheriff.org. For a listing of community organizations collecting donations, please go to www.broward.org.