#WRECares: 1 Year Pandemic Anniversary

Cedric Gervais, Mayor Francis X. Suarez, & Seth Browarnik at #WRECares Mask Balcony Party Honoring The City of Miami First Responders with The City of Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez on April 17, 2020

Miami, FL – March 13, 2021 – A lot can change in one year… In March of 2020, all of our lives were put on pause. The country went into lockdown, businesses closed and overnight, World Red Eye, the business that our founder Seth Browarnik built over 25 years, was gone. Instead of choosing defeat, WRE changed paths and charted a new course that would become some of the most defining work in the company’s history.

Exactly one week after the lockdown began, WRE posted a call to action on social media and officially launched #WRECares. Our website transitioned into an informative hub for the Miami community to share updates and resources on how we can rise above COVID-19 and help restore the prestige of this great city.⁣⁣⁣ We instantly received an outpour of support from the community, which evolved into an increasingly large network of donors, organizations, and volunteers that worked tirelessly to create something that had never been done before.

WRE pivoted from a profitable business into a full-blown charity where all proceeds were put towards providing out of work seamstresses with jobs, making masks for the entire city of Miami. WRE partnered with Miami Marlins Foundation to create masks using original game-day jerseys, which were donated to members in the fire and police stations throughout the city, as well as health care workers in both Miami and Fort Lauderdale. WRE also partnered with The Little Lighthouse Foundation to raise money and make masks which were donated to their partner facilities all over the city. Together, we raised over $40,000 and were able to donate 30,000 masks and PPE gear over the past year to individuals all over Miami.

In a time where failure seemed like the only option and many did not know where to turn to, the launch of #WRECares signaled hope for our community and the future of our city. Thank you to Miami Marlins Foundation and The Little Lighthouse Foundation for partnering with us and helping us complete such fulfilling work. The last year has been one of the hardest, yet most rewarding experiences in the history of World Red Eye, and we are immensely proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish. We look forward to continuing to support our city the way it has always supported us and coming out of this stronger than ever. Thank you Miami, we love you.

By Gaby Cuevas

WRECares Mask Balcony Party at Paraiso Bay from World Red Eye Films on Vimeo.

#WRECares Mask Balcony Party Honoring The City of Miami First Responders with Mayor Francis X. Suarez on April 17, 2020

Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina, Dominic Cavagnuolo, Seth Browarnik, Mei Yu, & Mayor Francis Suarez at #WRECares Donates 250 Face Masks to The Miami Police Department on April 8, 2020

Executive Assistant Orlando Aguilera, Crime Prevention Specialist Barbara Sweet-Kemp, Seth Browarnik, & Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina at #WRECares Donates Hundreds of Face Masks to The Miami Police Department on April 2, 2020

Alain Perez & Coral Gables Fire Department at #WRECares Partners with Eventstar Structures on April 6, 2020

Louis Aguirre at The Little Lighthouse Foundation’s 11th Annual Holiday Toy & Meal Distribution on December 18, 2020

Mei Yu & Tropical Chinese Staff at Tropical Chinese Donates 3,000 Meals for Frontline Workers at Baptist Health on May 13, 2020

Mr. Mauricio & DJ Irie at #WRECares – United Way Miami Presents “Operation Helping Hands” Livestream Fundraiser at The Wharf Miami on May 2, 2020

WRE Films: #WRECares x Miami Marlins Pick Up on April 15, 2020

University of Miami Health System Staff at WRECares Donates Miami Marlins Face Masks to the University of Miami Health System on April 10, 2020

Cleveland Clinic Florida Staff at #WRECares Partners with Cleveland Clinic Florida to Donate Face Masks & Shields on April 7, 2020

Udonis Haslem, Alberto Menolascina, & Commissioner Ken Russell at Stock-Up Mart Teams Up with Udonis Haslem & Miami Commissioner Ken Russell to Hand Out Groceries to Families in Need on May 13, 2020

Scott Harris & Alonzo Mourning at #WRECares – DeliverLean Launches Extensive Food Drive with Alonzo Mourning on April 20, 2020

COVID-19 Photo Story: Downtown Miami by Alejandro Chavarria on May 1, 2020

COVID-19 Photo Story: Wynwood by Samuel Rivas on May 19, 2020

COVID-19 Photo Story: Miami Beach by Misha Mehrel on May 24, 2020

COVID-19 Photo Story: Miami Beach by Kyle McLaughlin on April 13, 2020

COVID-19 Photo Story: Miami Beach by Ryan Troy on May 6, 2020

COVID-19 Photo Story: Miami Beach by Ryan Troy on May 6, 2020

Apple Store on Lincoln Road at Businesses Across Miami Board Up Following Protests on June 3, 2020

Hublot Boutique in Miami Design District at Businesses Across Miami Board Up Following Protests on June 3, 2020

Miami Design District at Businesses Across Miami Board Up Following Protests on June 3, 2020

Thousands Protest Police Brutality & The Death of George Floyd in Downtown Miami on May 31, 2020

Thousands Protest Police Brutality & The Death of George Floyd in Downtown Miami on May 31, 2020

Black Lives Matter Protest in Downtown Miami on June 6, 2020

Black Lives Matter Protest in Downtown Miami on June 6, 2020

Black Lives Matter Protest in Downtown Miami on June 6, 2020

Vic Garcia at #WRECares Partners with Local Artist Vic Garcia on April 9, 2020

Miami Beach Police Department Officials at #WRECares Donates Miami Marlins Face Masks to The Miami Beach Police Department on April 10, 2020

Fabio Palomba & David Grutman at Miami Marlins Teams Up With Tito’s Handmade Vodka & Komodo to Share Food For Friends on May 7, 2020