More than 1,200 emergency preparedness kits are heading to families in Miami-Dade County's most hurricane-vulnerable neighborhoods after United Way Miami and Verizon packed the supplies on Sunday, July 26.

Each kit contains first aid supplies, LED flashlights, phone power banks, emergency blankets, batteries, nonperishable food, ponchos, waterproof bags, insect repellent, and sunscreen.

The kits are part of "United We Prepare," a joint initiative that also includes 10 free heat and hurricane preparedness workshops hosted by The CLEO Institute, a Florida-based nonprofit. Community distribution events will target at-risk neighborhoods across the county, though specific locations have not been announced.

"Preparing our community before disaster strikes is one of the most important investments United Way Miami makes," Symeria Hudson, president and CEO of United Way Miami, said in a statement published Sunday. "That's why we're expanding our preparedness efforts through United We Prepare, helping more families gain the knowledge, resources and supplies they need before the next storm."

Hudson's organization coordinates disaster volunteers for Miami-Dade County as its Emergency Support Function (ESF-15) partner and leads the local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster coalition.

United We Prepare is a national program led by United Way Worldwide and funded by Verizon. In its first year, the initiative held 170 events, distributed more than 14,000 kits, and served more than 40,000 people nationwide. The program expanded to 18 communities in 2026, including Miami.

The next free virtual preparedness workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, at noon. Registration is available at unitedway.org/united-we-prepare/program/florida/united-way-miami.

Residents who need information or resources before, during, or after a storm can call the 2-1-1 Miami helpline, which connects an average of 5,000 callers per month to local services. United Way Miami can also be reached at 305-646-7000.