Orlando Bravo.Photo: Thoma Bravo
As thesearch and rescue efforts continueat the Champlain Towers in Surfside, Florida, local philanthropists are kicking into high gear to raise funds for what is certain to be a long recovery.
Orlando Bravo, a Puerto Rican billionaire and co-founder of the private equity firm Thoma Bravo, today donated $250,000 to the relief fundSupport Surfside– making this the largest pledge to the cause thus far. Bravo recently moved to Miami Beach, just a few miles south of the tower that partially collapsed early Thursday morning.
“The Bravo Family Foundation is honored to fill a void of need in the Surfside tragedy, before long-term insurance and government assistance is put in place,” Bravo tells PEOPLE in a statement. “Our foundation understands the immediate needs that arise from tragedies like Surfside, and we want to help these families rebuild their lives. We encourage other business leaders, philanthropists and community partners join in the effort to help the victims of this horrific, saddening event.”
He tells PEOPLE that he hopes this donation will serve as a call to action for other entrepreneurs to do the same, particularly as Miami experiences a major influx of new tech money.
The Bravo donation has been earmarked to support temporary housing for displaced families and therapy for all victims.
As of Sunday morning, at least 156 people remain missing, and five people have died. Additionally, hundreds of residents have been displaced, losing their homes and all of their possessions in the deadly collapse.
The Surfside Condo building.Joe Raedle/Getty
City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez visited the Surfside Community Center on Sunday to speak with locals and accept the Bravo Family Foundation’s donation.
The Bravo Family is well known for their charitable contributions. Theydonated $10 millionin the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which provided relief for families in Puerto Rico after the devastating storm. Bravo and his team also deployed air and sea cargo operations to transport supplies to Puerto Rico.
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Bravo relocated to Miami in late 2020 to extend his firm’s business and brand to The Magic City. Upon his move, he reached out to the NBA team the Miami Heat – one of the organizations behindSupport Surfside– to learn how he could support his new community.
“These are the moments when a community has to come together, rise up and help. Thank you to Orlando Bravo and the Bravo Family Foundation for joining the Miami HEAT family and other local partners in helping our cherished community,” Steve Stowe, Vice President/Executive Director Miami HEAT Charitable Fund, told PEOPLE in a statement.
source: people.com
