MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins, in partnership with the Dairy Council of Florida, hosted a movie night at the Outdoor Theater at Hard Rock Stadium for the students and parents of Norwood Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 15. The Dolphins selected Norwood Elementary School as the recipient of a $10,000 grant which will be allocated towards the purchase of new cafeteria equipment. This is the seventh year the organization has partnered with the Dairy Council of Florida through the Hometown Grants program to improve youth health and wellness in South Florida.
“We are appreciative of this partnership with the Dairy Council of Florida and the continuation of the Hometown Grants program that provides local schools with proper equipment so students have access to the nutrition they need to fuel their bodies,” Miami Dolphins Senior Director of Community Affairs and Youth Programs RaShauna Hamilton said. “The Miami Dolphins continue to find ways to support our South Florida youth and emphasize the importance of staying healthy, educated and united despite the ongoing challenges of this year.”
“We are so excited to partner with Norwood Elementary 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 kids make healthier choices in the future.”
Prior to the film, in a pre-recorded video, Miami Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker and the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders congratulated Norwood Elementary School and emphasized the importance of staying healthy and active. The school then enjoyed milk and cookies as they watched “The Grinch” in a socially distant and safe environment. The initiative also partnered with the Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program to provide students and their parents with freshly prepared meals by local minority-owned restaurants Magic Soul Food and Strictly Wings which were distributed by the Dolphins Cheerleaders. The collaboration is part of the Food Relief Program’s year-long commitment towards assisting to feed those dealing with food insecurity while generating jobs and revenue for local minority-owned restaurants in South Florida.
“Promoting a healthy and active lifestyle is something that is very important to me, especially for the youth of our community during these difficult times,” Miami Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker said. “It’s my second year serving as an ambassador for the Dairy Council of Florida, and I am happy to have the opportunity to still engage with the Norwood Elementary students virtually and share some encouragement.”
In addition to receiving this year’s grant, Norwood Elementary School also made a commitment to actively participate in Fuel Up to Play 60, 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.
“Norwood Elementary is so grateful for the Hometown Grants program,” Norwood Elementary School Assistant Principal Lisa Gonsky said. “We take pride in promoting a well-balanced person. With this grant we are emphasizing physical activity with healthy eating. Our cafeteria has brand new milk coolers and portable servers to help during our grab and go meals. Our Norwood community will have the opportunity to enjoy family time in a safe way while eating a hot meal. Thank you, Miami Dolphins and Dairy Council of Florida.”
Developed by the NFL and Fuel Up to Play 60 in 2014, the Hometown Grants initiative provides grants to support physical activity and nutrition programs in school districts in all 32 NFL markets. Through the Hometown Grants 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.
