Miami Dolphins team up with AARP to pack one million meals for struggling adults in South Florida

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Earlier today, the Miami Dolphins organization teamed up with AARP and Feeding South Florida to pack one million meals for struggling adults in the area. The event, which was held from the wee hours of the morning until the late afternoon at Sun Life Stadium, brought 6,000 local volunteers to aid the Dolphins in providing a very necessary service to those in need.

The 6,000 volunteers consisted of local youth groups, school sports teams, Dolphins Alumni, and a throng of Dolphins fans taking time out of their Saturday in order to help out for a good cause.

The volunteers were all given a Dolphins/AARP shirt, which you can see below, once they signed up for their shifts in order to pack meals. As one shift worked tirelessly to get rice, beans, and vitamins into bags, a fresh group of volunteers were ready to take over once the other’s shifts were concluded.

The volunteers worked on an impressive assembly line of about 30 people, with each person having a specific job for each bag prior to moving it along down the line. For many in attendance, their wide grins and laughter really summed up just how special this event was.

FanSided went to Sun Life Stadium this morning to discuss this wonderful event with Twan Russell, the Miami Dolphins Senior Director of Community Affairs and former Dolphins linebacker, and to get his thoughts on why it is so important to hold events that benefit the community.

“This is truly amazing,” Russell said with a big smile across his face. “Any time we can impact our community, and bring 6,000 people to help do it, it is important to do so.”

“If you look around this room, you will see a sea of aqua with people from Palm Beach, Miami, and Broward County. This is truly a South Florida event, and these meals we are packing today stay in our hometown, which makes people so excited about being here and helping. I heard people telling me they were driving from an hour away to be at this event at 8 o’clock in the morning. That is what Stronger Together means, and this is what we are trying to accomplish.”

With thousands in need, Russell and the Dolphins believe that these types of events can bring the community together like no other, and it is the Dolphins responsibility to do so.

“It is our responsibility to serve this community,” Russell said passionately. “The Miami Dolphins are not here without our fans. Our fans have equity in our brand, and this organization simply does not exist without them. I think it is important to hold events like this to give back and strengthen our community.”

“A lot of people in here know they are privileged,” Russell continued. “They are thinking, in 10 years it could be me or my grandmother that needs help, so they wake up early to help a great cause. The best part about it is that we are having fun. It’s wonderful to see our community come together for one goal and one initiative to help others in our community.”

The Dolphins organization has plans for more charitable work that will continue to flourish and help the community. With the goal set out in helping others in need, the Miami Dolphins actual football games seem miniscule in comparison.

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