A wall stands in the shadows of the collapsed Champlain Towers South building. It’s filled with flowers, photographs and messages of love and hope.
The Surfside Wall of Hope & Memorial was created by residents of the community and continues to grow almost two weeks after the collapse on June 24.
Bernardo Camou Font is one of the many still adding remembrances to the memorial. Honoring his older sister Gabriela Camou Font– who remains unaccounted for– he added a yellow poster board with childhood photos of Gabriela and moments they shared.
Holding back tears, Font says he traveled from Uruguay to say goodbye to his beloved sister.
“I had hope for the first week, maybe, but after the first week I lost that hope,” Font said. “Pray for me. She’s already up there. Pray for me.”
The memorial located on 88th Street near the fallen tower is meant to honor the victims of the tragedy and those who remain unaccounted for. Search and rescue efforts continue as more than 100 residents are still missing.
