The Venezuela Earthquake Disaster Relief Initiative
In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Venezuela, we launched Venezuela Earthquake Disaster Relief Initiative
The Venezuela Earthquake Disaster Relief Initiative
Bringing Hope from Houston to Venezuela
When a Community Chooses to Help: Houston Comes Together to Bring Hope to Venezuela
By Jose Angel Pereira
Chairman, Angels Helping in Earth Foundation
Great tragedies often reveal the very best of humanity.
Following the devastating earthquake that struck Venezuela, hundreds of families lost their homes, their belongings, and, in many cases, their loved ones. The heartbreaking images deeply moved the Venezuelan and Latin American communities throughout the Houston area, inspiring an extraordinary wave of compassion and solidarity.
What began as an initiative of Angels Helping in Earth Foundation, which I have the honor of chairing, was quickly embraced by my church, Intimidad con Dios, whose decisive participation transformed a simple idea into a large-scale humanitarian operation.
The church opened its facilities as the official collection center and mobilized dozens of volunteers who, for an entire week, worked in two daily shifts—from early morning until late evening—receiving, sorting, organizing, packing, and preparing humanitarian aid that would later be shipped to Venezuela.
Without the extraordinary commitment of the congregation and its outreach ministry, The Art of Giving (TAG), this effort simply would not have been possible.
A Community That Answered the Call
The response exceeded every expectation.
Businesses, nonprofit organizations, families, and countless individuals arrived at the collection center carrying non-perishable food, diapers, infant formula, hygiene products, first-aid kits, and other essential relief supplies.
One of the largest corporate contributors was MetaBox, whose Katy and Spring locations donated a significant volume of materials and supplies, becoming one of the campaign's principal donors.
Many families, business owners, sister churches, and community members also joined the effort, proving that compassion knows no borders when people are suffering.
A Large-Scale Humanitarian Operation
For several consecutive days, the collection center operated almost without interruption.
Every box was carefully inspected, sorted, and organized to facilitate its distribution once it arrived in Venezuela. Volunteers continuously received donations, unloaded vehicles, inventoried supplies, assembled boxes, built pallets, shrink-wrapped shipments, and prepared all documentation required for international transportation.
As a result of this remarkable community effort, approximately:
- 19 fully loaded pallets were prepared.
- More than 400 boxes of humanitarian aid were collected.
- Approximately 15 tons of essential relief supplies were assembled.
- The total fair market value of the donated cargo was estimated between $90,000 and $120,000, including food, infant formula, diapers, hygiene products, medical supplies, and other emergency relief items.
What Was Collected?
The humanitarian cargo included:
- Non-perishable food
- Infant formula
- Baby and adult diapers
- Personal hygiene products
- First-aid kits
- Medicines and medical supplies
- Cleaning products
- Water and beverages
- Blankets and basic household necessities for affected families
Every box represented far more than a donation; it carried a message of hope from Texas to thousands of Venezuelans facing one of the most difficult moments in their nation's history.
The Quiet Work of Volunteers
Perhaps the greatest achievement of this operation cannot be measured in tons.
Dozens of volunteers dedicated hundreds of hours of service throughout the week. Men, women, young people, and senior citizens worked side by side—often under the intense Texas summer heat—with one shared purpose: helping those in greatest need.
There were no personal agendas.
Only people serving other people.
That spirit of service transformed the collection center into a powerful example of community solidarity.
A Chain of Generosity That Made the Shipment Possible
Collecting the aid was only the first step. The next major challenge was ensuring that all of it could reach Venezuela.
That became possible thanks to another generous contribution. SAI Group International donated the transportation of an eighty-wheeler truck, allowing all 19 pallets to be transported from Intimidad con Dios Church to the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) logistics center in Doral, Florida.
From there, GEM assumed responsibility for the international logistics, incorporating the shipment into its humanitarian relief pipeline to Venezuela so the supplies could be delivered directly to the country and distributed to earthquake-affected communities through its trusted local humanitarian partners.
Every participating organization played an essential role. Some provided the initial vision, others contributed facilities, others donated their time, many provided humanitarian supplies, and others offered the logistical capabilities necessary to move this collective effort more than a thousand miles until it finally reached those who needed it most.
A Lesson for All of Us
At a time when we often hear stories that divide people, this experience reminded us that compassion remains one of society's greatest strengths.
What took place in Houston over the course of this week was far more than a humanitarian collection drive. It demonstrated that when foundations, churches, businesses, humanitarian organizations, and citizens unite around a common purpose, it is possible to respond to tragedy with speed, efficiency, and genuine compassion.
On behalf of Angels Helping in Earth Foundation, Intimidad con Dios Church, The Art of Giving (TAG) Ministry, MetaBox, SAI Group International, Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), and above all, the thousands of Venezuelan families who will receive this aid, we extend our deepest gratitude to every volunteer, donor, business, and organization that chose to be part of this mission.
Because the true greatness of a community is measured not by what it possesses, but by its willingness to extend a helping hand to those who need it most.
Angels In Earth: Empowering Communities
Our Story
Get Involved
Founded by Jose Pereira, former CEO of CITGO Petroleum and a five-year international hostage survivor, the organization was born from a vision God revealed to him during captivity—a calling to serve those facing life’s hardest battles and help them transform adversity into strength.
Get Involved
Get Involved
There are many ways to get involved with Angels In Earth. Attend one of our events, become a member, or volunteer your time. We'd love to have you on board!
Our Programs
Our Programs
From providing education to supporting health care initiatives, Angels In Earth offers a range of programs to support communities in need. Learn more about our work.
Donate
Our Impact
Our Programs
Your contribution can make a big difference in the lives of those we serve. Donate today to help support our mission of empowering communities.
Our Impact
Our Impact
Our Impact
Find out how Angels In Earth has made a difference in the community and the lives of those we serve. We are committed to creating lasting change.
Contact Us
Our Impact
Our Impact
Have a question or want to get in touch? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us today and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Our Programs
Trauma Recovery & Resilience Coaching
Trauma Recovery & Resilience Coaching
Trauma Recovery & Resilience Coaching
Trauma recovery programs rooted in resilience and faith-based principles
Guiding survivors of trauma through emotional healing, mindset transformation, and rebuilding confidence.
Hispanic support services
Trauma Recovery & Resilience Coaching
Trauma Recovery & Resilience Coaching
Immigrant support services, including integration guidance and empowerment coaching for startup, financial literacy, English as second language and citizenship & Legal advice
Strategic Partnerships & Fundraising
Trauma Recovery & Resilience Coaching
Strategic Partnerships & Fundraising
Partnerships with faith leaders, community organizations, and nonprofits to amplify resources and opportunities .
Collaborating with leaders, organizations, and donors to expand reach and maximize impact.
Advocacy and Public Awarness
Advocacy and Public Awarness
Strategic Partnerships & Fundraising
Championing human rights, dignity, and justice for vulnerable communities
Legal support for human rights violation, sexual abuse, human trafficking and other human rights
Food Drive
Advocacy and Public Awarness
Food Drive
Monthly nonperishable and perishable food distribution program to the Hispanic community
Contact Us
Advocacy and Public Awarness
Food Drive
Have a question or want to get in touch? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us today and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.