Donations Pouring in at Seminole "Hearts to Haiti" Drop Off Locations; Public Encouraged to Donate Specific Items to Help Haiti's Earthquake Victims

HOLLYWOOD AND COCONUT CREEK, Fla. -- The Seminole Tribe of Florida and Seminole Gaming today announced a "Hearts to Haiti" earthquake relief program, with two South Florida collection centers already set up and accepting donations from the general public.  Donated items will go to Food for the Poor, the Coconut Creek-based organization with a long history of on-the-ground public service in Haiti.

Food for the Poor is requesting donations primarily of canned meat and fish and canned or boxed milk.  Food in pop-top cans is especially in demand.  Other needed items include bottled water, baby products such as pre-mixed formula, diapers and wipes, as well as toothpaste and toothbrushes, over-the-counter pain relievers, antibiotic ointments, bandages, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, tents of any size, blankets, washcloths, and sanitary napkins.  For more information, visit http://www.foodforthepoor.org/help/quake_updates/dropoff.html.

The drop-off locations in South Florida are at the southwest corner of State Road 7 and Stirling Road, on the grounds of the original Seminole Casino Hollywood, and at the valet porte cochere entrance on the east side of Seminole Casino Coconut Creek.  Both locations are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Hollywood location is distinguished by two large trailers with "Hearts to Haiti" banners – one facing Stirling Road and one facing State Road 7.  Drivers can pull in and easily hand their donations to an attendant.

"We are encouraged by the steady volume of donations already coming from the general public," said Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming.  "The drop-off locations make it easy for people to contribute."

The "Hearts to Haiti" program is in addition to the Seminole Tribe's previously announced earthquake relief program that is raising much-needed money at Seminole Casinos around Florida.  Called "Seminole Haiti Relief Crank It Up," the program encourages restaurant, retail and hotel customers at the casinos to round up their purchase amounts to the next dollar, with their change donated to helping Haiti's earthquake victims.  In addition, Seminole Gaming executives have guaranteed a $100,000 cash contribution to support Haiti's earthquake victims.