Today (9/20/17), Patrick Murphy, the former U.S. Representative for Florida’s 18th congressional district and head of Coastal Cares, the philanthropic arm of Coastal Construction, announced the company’s aid plan to help storm victims in the Florida Keys and the Caribbean devastated by Hurricane Irma. Through the American Red Cross, Coastal has set up a matching fund with its network of subcontractors and employees, committing to matching all financial donations dollar for dollar, up to $25,000, to fund vital building supplies. Coastal has also teamed up with Aria Development Group, who is leading a supply drive for Hurricane Irma survivors in the Florida Keys and the Caribbean, donating an additional $25,000 to the drive and collecting contributions of everyday personal items like toilet paper, toothbrushes, soap, water, canned foods, and blankets, through an established network of drop-off locations (see locations below).

“As a part of the fabric of this community and our family’s deep legacy in the Florida Keys, we felt it was our duty and privilege to pay forward our blessings and lend a helping hand to our neighbors who have been devastated by Hurricane Irma. We are humbled by the tremendous need and are reminded by incidents like this, that we are all citizens of the one global community,” said Murphy.

The story starts long before Hurricane Irma. When Hurricane Andrew buried South Florida in August 1992, Tom Murphy Jr., set out with his mid-size construction company to help rebuild the Florida Keys. The Miami-based general contractor quickly made a name for itself and its disaster recovery efforts, rebuilding Ocean Reef Club and various other structures in south Miami-Dade County. Coastal Construction is now one of the largest privately held general contractors in the Southeast with over $2 billion in current commercial and residential projects underway. The company has built some of Miami’s most notorius projects, including Porsche Design Tower, Paramount Miami Worldcenter, Residences by Armani Casa,  Four Seasons Hotel, St. Regis Resort & Residences, Bal Harbour and Ritz-Carlton, South Beach.

Coastal Cares benefits numerous organizations throughout the year including: Miami Bridge, Rebuilding Together, ACE Mentoring Program, Sheridan House Family Ministries, Camillus House, I have a Dream Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, United Way, Baptist Health Foundation, Education Fund/Teach-A-Thon, Miami Dade County Public Schools and other non-profit organizations. 

“At Coastal, caring extends beyond financial contributions. Our team is grateful for our many blessings and will do whatever it takes to help those less fortunate. It’s an important part of who we are as citizens and our corporate culture,” added Murphy. 

To donate visit: https://www.redcross.org/donate/cm/coastalconstruction-emp