Nov. 26, 2019
MIAMI – Miami Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker along with alumnus Twan Russell, cheerleaders and T.D. in partnership with the Dairy Council of Florida surprised the students of Gratigny Elementary School in Miami-Dade County with a $10,000 grant as part of the partnership’s renewed commitment to the Hometown Grant Program in an effort to improve youth health and wellness on Tuesday, Nov. 26.
“The Miami Dolphins are stewards of South Florida and we have a responsibility to give back to our youth by sharing our resources and expressing the importance of education, eating healthy, exercising and making great choices so that the future and the people that make up South Florida are great,” Miami Dolphins Youth Programs Ambassador Twan Russell said. “This marriage between the Miami Dolphins and the Dairy Council of Florida through Fuel Up to Play 60 is a big initiative for us to make sure these kids have the nutrition to keep up with playing outside and also understanding what they need for their bodies to perform at their best.”
Funding from the grant was used for the school to purchase milk coolers to provide students with easier access to the different milk options available to them during breakfast and lunch as well as Nike sneakers for 257 students in an effort to promote both nutrition and physical activity through the Fuel Up to Play 60 program.
“We feel very fortunate that the Miami Dolphins share our commitment to health and wellness, and we are grateful for the generous donation,” Gratigny Elementary School Principal Bisleixis Tejeiro said. “This contribution will help strengthen our athletic program through physical activities and promoting healthy lifestyles. Our school will utilize the milk cooler to promote nutrition while our students are extremely happy with their new sneakers to have fun with and be active.”
Developed by the NFL and Fuel Up to Play 60 in 2014, the Hometown Grant initiative provides grants to support physical activity and nutrition programs in school districts in all 32 NFL markets. This is the 6th year for the Dairy Council of Florida and Miami Dolphins coming together to provide this grant.
“We are so excited to partner with Gratigny Elementary School and the Miami Dolphins to teach children the importance of not only getting in 60 minutes of physical activity per day but also fueling their bodies the right way,” Dairy Council of Florida Director of Youth Wellness Teresa Moran-Wiebe said. “Implementing change now will make sure these students make healthier choices in the future.”
Through the Hometown Grant program, NFL teams and state/regional dairy organizations identify deserving schools in their communities to receive funding to help facilitate sustainable physical activity and healthy eating programs for students. Since 2014, the program has provided hundreds of schools nationwide with funds and resources, resulting in more than one million students staying physically active and making healthier food choices. This year, Gratigny Elementary School of Miami-Dade County was selected to receive the funding. The school also made the commitment to actively participate in Fuel Up to Play 60, which is a nutrition and physical activity program that empowers youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their school.
—DOLPHINS—
