Daughter of former NY resident missing in Miami-area condo collapse sets up fund for father

Families are holding out hope in the search-and-rescue operation following the building collapse in Surfside, Florida.

News 12 Staff

Jul 4, 2021, 11:47 PM

Updated 1,246 days ago

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Families are holding out hope in the search-and-rescue operation following the building collapse in Surfside, Florida.
That includes Long Island native Judy Speigel's daughter, Rachel, who has now set up a support fund for her dad who lost everything.
"I'm not giving up hope," Rachel Spiegel says. "I want to be re-united with her and want to hug her."
Rachel Spiegel says she feels like she's been living a nightmare for the past 11 days. Her mother Judy is among the missing at the site of the Surfside condo collapse.
"The waiting is painful, the waiting is hard," Rachel Speigel says.
The waiting may be prolonged even more as it was just decided that the remaining portion of the partially collapsed condo will be demolished, not just because of Elsa, but because search-and-rescue teams believe the damaged tower still standing is being propped up by the mountain of rubble and could collapse at any moment.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine says demolition of what's left could allow rescue teams to get to victims more quickly
"And we will begin the search and rescue once again on any sections of the pile that are safe to access as soon as we're cleared," Levine says.
Rachel Speigel is now helping her father emotionally and financially by setting up a support fund for him who now only has a suitcase of belongings to his name.
"All our sentimental things, our pictures, my parent's wedding album, heirlooms... Everything is gone. We just lost so much," Rachel Speigel says.
She says she clings to pictures and videos of her mother as she admires the love she had for her granddaughter Scarlet.
"I still want everybody in the world to know how incredible my mom is. I'm not going to stop until we find her. I really hope we find her alive, but of course, I understand the gravity of the situation," Rachel Speigel says.
If you would like to help the family with donations, follow this link.