HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2025-3903RESOLUTION NO. 2025 - 3
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH,
FLORIDA, HONORING MICHAEL CAPPONI WITH THE KEY TO THE CITY FOR HIS
INVALUABLE PHILANTHROPIC CONTRIBUTIONS THROUGH THE GLOBAL
EMPOWERMENT MISSION; AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK TO ISSUE A KEY TO THE
CITY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO
EFFECTUATE THE TERMS OF THIS RESOLUTION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, Michael Capponi, the visionary founder of the Global Empowerment Mission
(GEM), has dedicated his life to humanitarian aid with profound passion and unwavering resolve,
responding to over 370 disasters in 71 countries and all 50 U.S. states, bringing light to the darkest
corners of the world through efficient, direct relief that restores hope and rebuilds shattered
communities; and
WHEREAS, in Ukraine, since the heartbreaking 2022 Russian invasion that has displaced
millions and torn families apart, Mr. Capponi's GEM has delivered over 1,744 trucks of life-saving
aid to 983 towns and villages, providing more than 200 truckloads monthly and serving over 3.2
million families with essential food kits in 2023 alone, a heroic effort that has positioned GEM as
the leader among all international agencies in food security according to the United Nations Food
Security Cluster dashboard, where GEM's distributions have been pivotal in averting famine and
sustaining vulnerable populations amid relentless conflict; and
WHEREAS, in Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis has left countless civilians—children,
elders, and families—grappling with scarcity and suffering, GEM under Mr. Capponi's guidance
ranks as the 4th largest food distributor as per the United Nations Food Security Cluster
dashboard, conducting hundreds of distributions of nutritious food, tested clean water, and fresh
produce despite perilous conditions, offering a lifeline of sustenance and solace to those enduring
profound loss and isolation; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Capponi's profound compassion has shone brightly in Haiti, a nation
repeatedly ravaged by natural disasters, where he personally led GEM's response to the
catastrophic 2010 earthquake that claimed over 200,000 lives and left millions homeless,
establishing and managing a tent city for 3,000 displaced people for an entire year, providing not
just shelter but a foundation for recovery; his efforts continued through the devastating 2016
Hurricane Matthew, a Category 5 storm that caused 546 fatalities and $2.8 billion in damage, and
the 20217.2 magnitude earthquake that destroyed over 52,000 homes, delivering essential aid to
the hardest-hit regions, embodying a heartfelt commitment to rebuilding lives and restoring
dignity in one of the world's most vulnerable places; and
WHEREAS, in Texas, where relentless flooding has tested the spirit of resilient communities,
Mr. Capponi's GEM mobilized swiftly during the July 2025 Kerr County flash floods, GEM deployed
trucks laden with pallets of disaster relief supplies, assisting families with financial support, cash
cards, and essentials; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Capponi's humanitarian reach extends deeply into South America, where
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GEM has confronted crises with extraordinary empathy, including the 2024 catastrophic floods in
Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul that left over one million homes without water and forced mass
evacuations, delivering critical supplies to sustain survivors; in Colombia's January 2024 wildfires
that scorched 174 municipalities, GEM declared a disaster response to provide aid amid
widespread destruction; in Chile's February 2024 forest fires that ravaged 64,000 acres and
displaced thousands, offering solace and resources; in Venezuela's 2019 refugee crisis—the largest
in the Americas with 4.6 million emigrants—addressing urgent humanitarian needs; and in the
2019 Amazon wildfires affecting Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru, where GEM's interventions
helped mitigate environmental and human suffering, all achieved through strategic partnerships
and Mr. Capponi's inspiring vision of global unity; and
WHEREAS, GEM's extraordinary effectiveness is amplified by its small, agile staff of
dedicated individuals, enabling it to achieve outsized impact—outperforming vast government
bureaucracies—with 97% of donations flowing directly to missions, turning compassion into
immediate action and demonstrating how a lean team can move mountains in the face of global
tragedy; and
WHEREAS, as a nonprofit organization unbound by the cumbersome bureaucracy and
multi -agency controls that often delay government responses, GEM under Mr. Capponi's
leadership deploys help sometimes within hours of a disaster striking, ensuring that critical aid
reaches those in desperate need without the red tape that can cost precious lives, embodying a
model of swift, heartfelt philanthropy that saves and uplifts; and
WHEREAS, through partnerships with the United Nations and other global entities, Mr.
Capponi's work has amplified life-saving interventions, as evidenced by GEM's top rankings in UN
dashboards for food security in conflict zones, inspiring a ripple effect of global empowerment that
aligns deeply with Sunny Isles Beach's cherished values of community resilience, international
solidarity, and the unyielding belief that one person's compassion can ignite change for millions;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Capponi's legacy of turning donor generosity into direct, life -affirming
action—often in the face of danger and adversity—serves as a heartfelt reminder that true
heroism lies in selfless service, touching the hearts of our diverse Sunny Isles Beach residents and
motivating us to foster a more empathetic world;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SUNNY
ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Approval of Issuance of Key. The City Commission hereby approves the issuance of
a "Key to the City" to Michael Capponi.
Section 2. Authorization of City Clerk. The City Clerk is hereby authorized to issue a Key to the
City to be bestowed upon Michael Capponi.
Section 3. Authorization of the City Manager. The City Manager is hereby authorized to do all
things necessary to effectuate the terms of this resolution.
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Section 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective upon adoption.
ATTEST:
Iln
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 18th day o. tember, 2025.
Larisa Svechin, Mayor
7
V- -w-
Mauric ' Be_tancur, MC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM
AND LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
A7%G✓��
A aiin E. Boileau, for Nabors, Giblin &
Nickerson, P.A., City Attorney
Moved by: �i(,t��l�lE(�J� �5��- Seconded by: Y( �-—
M
Vote:
Mayor SvechinYes) (No)
Vice Mayor Lama (--!5�'Yes) (No)
Commissioner Joseph V/ (Y s) (No)
Commissioner Stuyvesant es) (No)
Commissioner Viscarra (Yes) (No)
@Bd@9414e502
Page 3 of 3 690
"p9 '
F �P6O� 4
City of Sunny Isles Beach
18070 Collins Avenue
Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160
(305) 947-0606 City Hall
(305) 949-3113 Fax
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners
FROM: Fabiola Stuyvesant, Commissioner
DATE: September 18, 2025
RE: Resolution Approving the issuance of a Keyto the Cityto Michael Capponi
RECOMMENDATION:
This resolution is presented for consideration.
REASONS:
This resolution recognizes Mr. Michael Capponi selfless philanthropic leadership through the Global
Empowerment Mission (GEM) an organization that serves as a beacon of hope in times of despair for
millions facing unimaginable crises.
Particularly remarkable is his courageous on -the -ground, on-going aid in Ukraine amid the devastating
Russian invasion, where GEM leads all international agencies in food security according to the United
Nations, delivering over 1,744 trucks of aid to 3.2 million families, to Gaza's desperate streets, where it
ranks as the 4th largest food distributor. Mr. Capponi's work brings hope amid immeasurable suffering.
His efforts shine in Haiti, rebuilding lives after the 2010 earthquake and 2021 disasters; in Texas, rushing
aid during the 2025 Kerr County floods; and across South America, from Brazil's 2024 floods to
Venezuela's refugee crisis.
What makes GEM's impact so profound is its extraordinary efficiency: with a small, dedicated staff of
just a few dozen, GEM turns 97 cents of every donated dollar directly into life-saving aid, free from the
bureaucratic red tape that slows government agencies, often deploying help within hours of a disaster.
Mr. Capponi's rapid, heartfelt response stands in stark contrast to the multi -agency delays of
government efforts.
Through his unwavering commitment, Mr. Capponi has touched millions of lives, delivering not just
essential supplies but also dignity, resilience, and a renewed sense of humanity to those enduring
Item Number: 9.AC
686
unimaginable hardships, inspiring our Sunny Isles Beach community to embrace compassion and
solidarity on a worldwide scale, making him a true hero worthy of the Key. to the City.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Item Number: 9.AC
687