Will you be signing up for the army?
Credit: Eduardo Schneider
South Florida journalist and communications pro Arlene Borenstein is putting out a call across Broward County – Venezuela still needs help, and locals can provide it with a few hours of hands-on work.
Borenstein is rallying volunteers for Venezuelan Earthquake Relief at Global Empowerment Mission’s Doral headquarters on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The effort comes after magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck northern Venezuela within seconds of each other on June 24, devastating Caracas, La Guaira and surrounding communities.
For many Broward residents, Borenstein is a familiar face. She worked in broadcast television news for nearly 20 years, including as an NBC 6 reporter primarily seen during morning broadcasts. Her local résumé also includes food coverage for the South Florida Sun Sentinel and communications work.
Her Broward connection dates back to day one.
“I was born and raised in Pembroke Pines,” Borenstein told Browardist. She was born at what was then Broward General Hospital, attended the high school named for former Pembroke Pines Mayor Charles W. Flanagan and remembers when cow pastures and open fields still lined Pines Boulevard.
The Venezuela mission hits even closer to home. “My mom is Venezuelan, born in Caracas,” she said, in addition to having several other family still in the country. After witnessing the destruction, she contacted Global Empowerment Mission founder Michael Capponi, whom she had previously interviewed. That outreach quickly became what she calls her “volunteer army.”
On Aug. 15, volunteers will pack family necessities kits, assemble Avon gift kits or hygiene kits and sort donations.
The event also expands the mission behind Borenstein’s new Breaking Bread with Borenstein series. Through the project, culinary personalities bring her to restaurants with personal significance before the conversation turns toward food insecurity and ways viewers can help. Food Rescue US is currently receiving support through the series.
“I think with the platforms we all have, let’s do some good with it,” she said.
Borenstein hopes the Aug. 15 turnout opens the door to future volunteer gatherings. “I don’t want to stop,” she said. “I don’t want to stop at this one event.”
