Aug 24, 2007 7:13 pm US/Eastern
Neighbors 4 Neighbors Born After Hurricane Andrew
Started As Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Click Here for CBS4.COM/Neighbors4Neighbors
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MIAMI (CBS4) ―
Neighbors 4 Neighbors got its start by accident. After hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in 1992, the managers at CBS4, which was WCIX at the time, decided it was time to take action, not only reporting the stories, but finding a way to help.
The task was tough. The station's transmitter was blown down, the helicopter smashed to pieces as well as a staff worried about what happened to their own families. That's when the management decided to use what they had which was phone lines.
"The concept was very simple," said Nelly Rubio, one of Neighbors 4 Neighbors' founders. "Open up the phone lines, tell the stories. Tell people what others needed and let them respond with whatever resources or means that they had."
But the people who needed the help the most, didn't have the phones to call in. So, "Neighbors Helping Neighbors," as it was called then, set up where help was needed.
"People would come up to us in person and tell us what they needed. We would take that information back to the phone bank and people called in and said, 'I want to help, what can I do?'" said Rubio.
The overwhelming response during the relief effort was so powerful, the station decided to keep the 15-line phone bank and Neighbors 4 Neighbors was born.
Now, 15 years later, Neighbors 4 Neighbors continues to serve the South Florida community, providing residents with everything from school supplies to food to new homes.
"In the 15 years we have been in existence, thousands of families have been adopted by caring organizations and groups and millions of dollars in goods has changed hands," said Lynne Cameron, Executive Director of Neighbors 4 Neighbors.
Funded through foundation grants, corporate donations and pro bono airtime, Neighbors 4 Neighbors continues to be a resource to the community, linking those in need with those who can help.
Click Here to see some of the inspiring stories from Neighbors 4 Neighbors.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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