Volunteers Pay Tribute to the Heroes and Victims of 9/11 & Our Military As Part of National Day of Service and Remembrance
(MIAMI, September 11, 2014) — Miami-Dade Parks along with Miami-Dade County District 10 Commissioner Sen. Javier D. Souto, AARP, Miami Dolphins Special Teams driven by Chevy, Miami-Dade College’s Institute for Civic Engagement and Democracy, and Barry University are leading a local volunteer project for 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, on Saturday, September 13, from 8:00 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Ruben Dario Park, 9825 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33174.
The Miami Dolphins Special Teams driven by Chevy will remodel an activity room in the Park’s recreation center with new wall paint in Miami Dolphins colors, wall art, new bean bag chairs and area rugs, providing an engaging environment that children from the Miami-Dade Parks’ after-school program can use as a library, computer lab, and quiet room to complete their homework.
Other volunteer activities include landscaping, restriping of the parking lot, cleaning, painting the building interior and exterior, and various other projects throughout Ruben Dario Park. In addition, donations for the military will be collected as part of the day’s event. Volunteers are encouraged to bring hygiene products, toiletries, or non-perishable food items to be added to care packages for our troops overseas.
Volunteers will sign in and enjoy breakfast, courtesy of Krispy Kreme, at the main recreation center and the day concludes with lunch, sponsored by Hooters, and a closing ceremony with dignitaries from the sponsor and host organizations, including Commissioner Souto.
“Through projects like this we have the power to make a positive impact in our local community,” said Jack Kardys, Director of Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department. “Miami-Dade Parks joins the community on this day of service to remember those heroes from September 11, 2001.”
To stay updated on the Miami-Dade Parks volunteer program visit www.iaminvolved.org. For more information on this or other opportunities, or businesses and organizations interested in sponsoring a volunteer service project, please call Angie Gomez, Volunteer Coordinator for Miami-Dade Parks at 305-961-2781 or via email at [email protected].
About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
About Miami Dade College’s Institute for Civic Engagement and Democracy
The Institute for Civic Engagement and Democracy at Miami Dade College focuses on transforming learning, strengthening democracy, and contributing meaningfully to the common good by awakening and empowering students for lifelong civic engagement.
About Miami Dolphins Special Teams
In 2010, South Florida ranked dead last in the nation in percentage of volunteers and volunteer hours per. To combat this problem, the organization created the Special Teams Program, Driven by Chevy, a volunteer group that offers hands-on services to communities and families in need, to partner with existing organizations on worthwhile social, civic and charitable programs and to support community efforts in times of emergency. For more information about Special Teams, please visit miamidolphins.com/specialteams or call 305-943-7900.
About Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award, winner of the 2013 Florida Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award and the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami, Deering Estate at Cutler and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.
About The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade
The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that supports the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s effort to further develop Miami-Dade County’s world-class parks system for residents and visitors. Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for children, adults and people with disabilities. For more information on the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade, please visit www.liveaparklife.org.