It has been exactly one year since the devastating collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, which happened just south of 88th Street on Collins Avenue, and the community is eager to honor those affected by the tragedy.
There are several tributes planned for the 98 lives lost and their loved ones taking place today. Here’s where you can find them.
- At 7 p.m., there will be a prayer gathering on the seaside behind the collapse site. The sky will be lit up with 98 biodegradable memorial lanterns in reminiscence of the lives lost. The public is welcome to bring a blanket to take a seat on the sand.
- At 7:30 p.m., there will be a special Mass of Remembrance at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Miami Beach “to commend to the Lord the victims of Champlain Towers and the enduring suffering of their relatives and friends.” The church is located on 8670 Byron Avenue.
- If you’re attending tonight’s Miami Marlins game at LoanDepot Park, first responders will join the players on the field to hold a moment of silence before the game.
- You can always visit the memorial that lists the names of all 98 victims. It is located in Veterans Park, along Collins Avenue. Earlier today, search-and-rescue-crews read each name of every victim and burned a torch in their memory at the Park.
This morning at 10 a.m., there was a public memorial service held at the Surfside site, attended by family members, emergency officials, and politicians. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden was in attendance, praising the South Florida community and “Americans from across our country who donated and found ways to spread kindness.”
“On behalf of my husband, President Biden, whose heart and prayers have never left this community, we stand with you today and always,” she said. “And as we gather, we express our gratitude for this community.”
Governor Ron DeSantis, who was also at the memorial, said he is designating a portion of Collins Avenue as 98 Points of Light road.
“So everytime people drive by, they’re going to be reminded that there are great people that lived in that tower and that this is a tragedy that wounded this community in our state,” he said.