Not long before the tragedy that would paste Orlando on front pages of newspapers and websites across the globe, we shared a blog post that was part declaration, part plea: Orlando is the heart of Florida, and home to a diverse, tight-knit community that has helped transform this town into a cohesive, genuinely interesting place that has sprouted cultural roots far beyond our tourism veneer. Please don’t take our home for granted.
The events that unfolded in the early hours of June 12, 2016 have been well documented, intensively reported and updated at a relentless pace. Despite this non-stop coverage, the reality of the immense loss that our city, our state, our country and our global humanity has suffered is slow to sink in, feeling more like a bad dream that has outstayed its welcome than the harsh reality it actually is.
Though surreal, Orlando has faced recovery with strength and unity. Just hours after the gunfire ceased, our community lined the streets to give the blood from our veins, overwhelming donation spots to the point that many were turned back. Even then, we returned with supplies, juice, snacks, water, whatever we could to help start the process of making our community whole again. Though recovery is still at its earliest stages, the likes of Walt Disney World, NBCUniversal, JetBlue, the Orlando Magic, AT&T, Orlando City Soccer Club and many others have done their part to raise millions for the families of victims and those affected in the City Beautiful.
As various charities and donation options become available throughout the following weeks and months, we think it is deeply important that you know how to best lend a hand to those that need it most, whether you’re a local, in town for vacation or live across the country.
How Can I Help Orlando?
Though an impressive amount of funds have already been raised, victims and families of the Pulse tragedy are still facing the unfathomable costs of medical bills and funerals for their loved ones. If you’re not in the Orlando area, the most effective and immediate support you can provide is monetary. Donate to the OneOrlando Fund today. Beyond this fund, Orlando businesses have come together to offer support by doing what they do best — showing people a good time.
If you’re in town, don’t miss the following opportunities to spend time with a loved one and see what defines our city beyond this tragedy, all while helping those in need.
Restaurants:
KrungThep Tea Time
Date: June 17th
Charity: GoFundMe Pulse Victims Fund via Equality Florida
Donation: 100% of Profits
Sus Hi Eatstation
Date: Now-June 18th
Charity: GoFundMe Pulse Victims Fund via Equality Florida
Donation: 100% of Profits + additional donations provided by customers
Red Cypress Brewery
Date: June 18th
Charity: OneOrlando Fund and Pulse Tragedy Community Fund
Donation: $1 of every pour
Pincho Factory
Date: Now-June 19th
Charity: Unspecified
Donation: 15% of sales
4 Rivers Smokehouse
Date: June 19th (11am-3pm)
Charity: OneOrlando Fund
Donation: Proceeds from the day
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
Date: June 20th
Charity: Unspecified
Donation: 100% of net profits
Cigar City Brewing Let’s Get Beers Together Session IPA (being served at multiple Central Florida bars and pubs)
Date: TBA — follow their local rep for more information
Charity: OneOrlando Fund
Donation: 100% of profits from this beer
Events
Benefit show, featuring Jonathan Hortan, Davey Leatherwood, Kristin Grice, Raspberry Pie, 69 Fingers, Cover Girls, Darko Grey, Luke Wagner & The Bootleg Brothers
Venue: Copper Rocket Pub
Date: June 17th
Charity: Unspecified
Donation: 100% of door money
Benefit show, featuring Blonk, The Dealers, Gary Lazer Eyes, Chris Perkins, and Underhill
Venue: Copper Rocket Pub
Date: June 18th
Charity: Unspecified
Donation: 100% of door money
LiveStream fundraiser, featuring Florida’s DJ community
Venue: Streaming online
Date: June 18th
Charity: GoFundMe Pulse Victims Fund via Equality Florida
Donation: Collecting donations
We Love Orlando: A Benefit Party For The Relief Of Pulse
Venue: The Geek Easy
Date: June 18th
Charity: GoFundMe Pulse Victims Fund via Equality Florida
Country music concert, featuring Maddie & Tae, Tyler Farr, Canaan Smith, Michael Ray and more
Venue: CFE Arena UCF
Date: June 21st
Charity: GoFundMe Pulse Victims Fund via Equality Florida
Donation: Proceeds from tickets and parking
T-Shirts, Art and More
Stay Strong Orlando T-Shirt
Charity: The Center and Equality Florida
Donation: 100% of net profits
We are Orlando T-Shirt
Charity: The Center
Donation: 100% of proceeds
#OrlandoUnited T-Shirt
Charity: OneOrlando Fund
Donation: 100% of net proceeds
Together Orlando T-Shirt
Charity: Unspecified
Donation: All proceeds
City Beautiful: A Compilation for Pulse music download
Charity: GoFundMe Pulse Victims Fund via Equality Florida
Donation: All proceeds
The City Beautiful Benefit Poster
Charity: The Center
Donation: 100% of profits
*Note: There are an unfortunate number of retailers and artists selling merchandise with messages of Orlando support, but with no plan to donate their earnings to charity. Avoid this egregious profiteering by researching the seller and ensuring that your money is going to a legitimate cause.
Volunteer
Though providing monetary support is vital to the cause, there is still immediate need for volunteers across the board, including the delivery of goods to hospitals and medical centers, Spanish-speaking translators and continued blood donations. If you are available in the Central Florida area, fill out the volunteer form to see how you can make an impact today.
Orlando Strong
Though the actions of one gunman changed the history of our city forever, it’s the efforts like those above — plus the hundreds of others to come — by which the world will remember us. Our LGBT and Hispanic communities were targeted, but beyond that, we were targeted as Orlandoans and as Americans. We, and the world, have responded to unthinkable hatred and violence with the only possible answer to this tragedy — with love, with strength and with unity.
We urge you, as our friends, neighbors, brothers and sisters, if you have the means or the time, please provide what you can. Whether that is $5 you would have spent at Starbucks, an afternoon of time that was scheduled for your favorite Netflix series or simply a prayer for those lost, it all counts and it is all important.
If you are in need of help, please reach out to the following services:
- The Center
- City of Orlando Assistance Center
- Zebra Coalition | Hotline: 407-228-1446 | Counseling: 946 N. Mill Ave, Orlando, FL 32803
- The Trevor Project | Hotline: 866-488-7386
- Orlando Government | Hotline: 407-246-4357
If you would like to pay your respects, please see the growing list of vigils being held across the city.
We will recover, we will rebuild and we will continue to be the culturally diverse, relevant community that we have worked so hard to become. The heart of Florida is beating, and our pulse is stronger than ever.