MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins in partnership with the Dairy
Council of Florida and Fuel Up to Play60 surprised the students of
McNicol Middle School in Broward County with a $10,000 grant as part
of the partnership’s continued commitment towards supporting youth
health and wellness through the Hometown Grants Program on Friday,
Nov. 19.
“We are so excited to partner with McNicol Middle 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, including dairy,” Dairy Council of Florida Director of
Youth Wellness Teresa Moran-Wiebe said. “Implementing change now will
help students make healthier choices in the future.”
Joined by the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, the school hosted a pep
rally for the students in celebration with music and games. As
recipients of the Hometown Grant Program, McNicol Middle School will
allocate the funds towards the purchase of new physical education
equipment for the school as well as a grab and go cart for the
cafeteria to house fruits, vegetables and dairy options for the
students during lunch. This is the eighth year the organization has
partnered with the Dairy Council of Florida through the Hometown
Grants program to facilitate sustainable physical activity and healthy
eating habits in South Florida.
“We are excited to partner with the Dairy Council of Florida in our
continued efforts to impact the health and wellbeing of the students
in our community through the Hometown Grants Program,” Miami Dolphins
Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs Jason
Jenkins said. “By providing South Florida schools with proper
equipment, we look to give students the resources they need to learn,
play and fuel their body in the best environment.”
In addition to receiving this year’s grant, McNicol Middle 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.
“We are honored and grateful to be the first school in our District to
receive this grant award,” said McNicol Middle School Principal
Deirdre Benka-Coker. “These funds will support our common goals of
promoting healthy, active lifestyles and food choices for our
students. The physical education and food cart items will benefit our
school community for years to come.”
Developed by the NFL and Fuel Up to Play 60 in 2014, the 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 thousands of
schools nationwide with funds and resources, resulting in more than
one million students staying physically active and making healthier
food choices.