More Dolphins In The Community
After a long day hitting the books, there’s nothing quite like that after-school treat.
On Thursday, once class wrapped up, the children at His House Children’s Home were able to enjoy that and more.
A group of Dolphins players – including linebacker
For the young kids, it would have been one thing to just have a special party, quite another, though, to have a couple of professional players, all sporting the Dolphins’ new logo, there to host.
“They get so excited,” said Jackie Raventos, activities coordinator at His House. “They can’t imagine that these people that they see on television are here to serve them ice cream. One of the kids was like, ‘Are they serving us ice cream?’ They couldn’t believe it.”
Classes filed in, one by one, and students were able to choose their favorite flavors and toppings, with Misi scooping out chocolate, Tyms in charge of the Neapolitan bucket and Miller dishing out vanilla. The others made sure everyone got the works, adding a ton of toppings.
With the kids spending all day at school, they had some energy to spare. So after everyone built and then finished an ice cream sundae, it was time to let loose.
Players tossed around a football with a big group, taking turns airing it out while the kids did their best
Some of the other kids opted, instead, for some basketball, attempting to see whether these NFL players had any skills on the hardcourt.
In between games, newly signed Dolphins linebacker Philip Wheeler couldn’t get over how courteous everyone was.
“It surprised me how nice the kids are to each other. I remember being in regular grade school – I wasn’t this nice to my fellow classmates. They’re so nice to each other,” Wheeler said. “It’s cool, man. It’s a good vibe.”
When Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon was a child, the Dolphins and Dolphins cheerleaders came and visited his school. It was a big production with drills set up and everything, Vernon said, and it was a day to remember for him and his fellow classmates.
Roles are reversed now. The second-year player, a regular at the Dolphins’ community events, hopes that he and his fellow teammates made a similar type of impact at His House.
“Kids remember that as they grow up,” Vernon said. “It’s something they can look forward to, even if it’s not football. It could be basketball, baseball, whatever sport or whatever (career), it could be an astronaut or something. Just to give them a sparkle of something they can achieve.”
