On June 24th, two devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela just 39 seconds apart: a magnitude 7.2 foreshock followed by a catastrophic 7.5 main shock. The destruction has been overwhelming, with the death toll climbing into the hundreds and thousands still reported missing as rescue crews continue searching through collapsed buildings across Caracas, La Guaira, and northern Venezuela.

Here at home, the Tampa Bay Venezuelan community has turned heartbreak into action, and there's a donation site right here in Clearwater.

How You Can Help Locally

Arepas Maíta in Clearwater has become an official donation collection site, joining businesses and organizations across Tampa Bay collecting supplies to send to those affected. Organizers are specifically asking for medicine, non-perishable food, hygiene products, and water filters.

📍 Arepas Maíta Clearwater - 1701 Drew St, Unit 8, Clearwater, FL 33755 → Map

Additional Tampa Bay drop-off locations include several spots in Tampa and Wesley Chapel for those traveling that direction.

A Community That Shows Up

What's been remarkable is watching neighbors of every background come together. As one local organizer put it, this is a moment when compassion has to come before politics! The people of Venezuela simply need help right now.

If you have family or friends in Venezuela you're trying to locate, a volunteer-led platform called Venezuela Te Busca is helping people report missing relatives and share verified information from affected areas.

Whether you donate supplies, contribute to trusted relief organizations, or simply share this information with someone who can help, every bit of support matters. Clearwater has always been a community that shows up for its neighbors near and far. 🇻🇪

Look up tonight, Monday June 29th, for June's full Strawberry Moon: the brightest sight in the night sky. It officially turns full at 7:57 PM, and as it rises just after sunset it'll appear huge and glow a warm orange as it climbs above the eastern horizon.

Here's a fun fact though…despite the name, it has nothing to do with Florida strawberries. Our strawberry season actually ended months ago, since strawberries love cooler weather and our June heat and humidity wrap up the growing season early. The name comes from Native American tribes farther north, where wild strawberries ripened in June.

And that gorgeous orange glow? The moon isn't actually changing color. As it sits low on the horizon you're looking through a much thicker layer of Earth's atmosphere, which scatters away the blue light…the same reason sunsets look orange and red.

No telescope required. Just head somewhere with a wide-open view of the eastern sky, bring your eyes (or your smartphone camera), and enjoy the show. Clear Gulf skies should make for a beautiful one.

If you've been waiting for the Gulf to warm up the wait is over. Clearwater Beach water temperatures have reached 81 degrees. Warm, clear, and perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, or just wading in. Historically Gulf temperatures peak around 85-86 degrees in late summer so we're already well into comfortable swimming territory ahead of schedule.

Check current water temperatures and conditions Here

Watch the live Clearwater Beach Cam Here

Our pets aren't just animals — they're family. If you've seen any of the pets below please email us at [email protected] and we will connect you directly with their families. One share could bring someone's baby home.

Zena has been missing for over 113 days from the Seville Condo area near Clearwater Costco. Her heartbroken family will not give up searching

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Leah has been missing since April 28th from the King Arthur Court in Dunedin. Her Mom has owned her since she was a puppy.

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Lobo has been missing since May 11th from Gladden Park in St. Petersburg. Her Mom has owned her since she was a puppy.

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River is a one-year-old male tabby (brown, white, and gray) who slipped out the front door on May 30th, and last seen near 134th Ave and Trotter Rd in Largo.

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Mama Kitty is a 15 year old black cat with with a clipped left ear that went missing on June 4th, and last seen near Druid and Belcher in Clearwater.

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🤠 Wednesday Night Line Dancing — OCC Roadhouse Clearwater Free lessons. 6:00pm to 7:30pm — All ages welcome DJ Brandon takes over at 7:30pm playing requests all night 10575 49th Street North, Clearwater INFO →

🎸 Joe Wood Wednesday July 1st - FREE - 5:00 pm Crabby’s Dockside Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 Shovelhead Thursday July 2nd - FREE - 7:00 pm OCC Roadhouse Clearwater, FL INFO→

🐢 Sea Turtle Nesting Patrol Experience Join conservation volunteers monitoring nests along the beach Reservations required

🧘 Free Sunset Yoga Monday at 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm - FREE admission - Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland Street, Clearwater, 33764, Meet on The Green LEARN MORE →

🚶‍♀️ SilverSneakers: Zumba Gold Class Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 am - Aging Well Center @ The Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Road, Clearwater, 33765, View Map LEARN MORE →

🧘 Yoga Tuesday and Thursday 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm - Aging Well Center @ The Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Road, Clearwater, 33765, View Map FEES & LEARN MORE →

🧘 Golden Hour Yoga - FREE - Wednesday at 7:00 pm - Pier 60 Clearwater Beach View Map

⛵ Clearwater Community Sailing Center A nonprofit sailing center at 1001 Gulf Blvd offering boat rentals, sailing lessons for all ages, and Summer Camp. Open Tuesday through Sunday 9am to 5pm. LEARN MORE →

🏓 Pickleball Court Locations: Here is the easiest way to find Pickleball courts near you with an interactive map. LEARN MORE →

🏖️ Near the Beach

🏙️ Inland

⚠️ Trivia nights and schedules can change. We recommend confirming directly with the venue before heading out. Know of a change or a new spot? Tell Scout →

Thanks for reading My Clearwater Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone that you think would be interested.

Until next time,

Stan, Scoop and Scout