The Miami Dolphins Special Teams is a unique volunteer organization created to enlist and mobilize the ongoing services of the community with the Miami Dolphins staff, players, and alumni. The mission of the Special Teams is to offer hands-on services to communities and families in need, to partner with existing organizations on worthwhile social, civic and charitable programs, to provide assistance at Miami Dolphins Foundation events, and to support community efforts in times of emergency.
Special Teams Powered by AARP Foundation contributions to the Community:
- More than 254,000 community service hours completed.
- $5,611,080 – Value to the South Florida and Mexico communities.
- 20,000-plus individuals have volunteered with our program.
- More than 3 million meals packed and distributed to the South Florida community.
Contact us via email at **Volunteers@Dolphins.com** or call 305-943-7900
Visit us on Facebook at Facebook.com/SpecialTeams
Signature events:
One Million Meal Packing Event presented by AARP Foundation
In football, winning or losing can come down to one play, one yard, one inch. In Florida, one-in-seven seniors live in poverty. The difference for those struggling can come down to one volunteer, one conversation, one hot meal. AARP Foundation and the Miami Dolphins have teamed up to help South Florida older adults meet their basic needs. By being a force for change on the most serious issues Americans 50+ face today—housing, hunger, income and isolation—and working with local volunteers and organizations, we can help reach more people, strengthen communities and help make resources go further for those struggling.
In 2016, with the help of over 5,000 volunteers, and in just 8 hours, the Miami Dolphins and AARP Foundation were able more than 1,070,000 meals for South Florida seniors.
Dolphins Cancer Challenge
The Miami Dolphins Special Teams volunteers have supported the Dolphins Cancer Challenge since its inception in 2010. This Tri County cycling and 5k Walk event continues to grow and involves over 2,600 cyclists/walkers and 500+ volunteers who join together in an effort to help tackle cancer one mile at a time. The DCC has risen over $11.5 million for cancer research at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
For more information regarding the Dolphins Cancer Challenge and how to get involved please visit www.ridedcc.com.
9/11 - National Day of Service and Remembrance
In 2009, Congress designated September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance under bipartisan federal law, and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with helping to support this effort across the country. On the anniversary of the September 11th attacks, Americans will unite in service in the same remarkable way that so many came together following that day. Each year, the Miami Dolphins chooses a project to engage our Special Teams volunteers and to provide a lasting benefit to the South Florida community.
Community Service Academy – Spring Break (March) – Summer Months (6 weeks)
The Miami Dolphins Community Service Academy (CSA) presented by AARP Foundation is a week-long "camp" like volunteer experience for high school students. The CSA is specifically for high school students to gain community service hours for graduation or for any potential scholarships. At the end of each we students will have completed 40 hours of community service.
Each week is different. The participants meet at the stadium and then are transported as a group to one of the many different non-profits and charities throughout South Florida. An organization we always like to help out is Feeding South Florida where we help sort, package, and distribute the donated food in their warehouse. Another organization is Zoo Miami, which we assist in various capacities throughout their scenery, whether that be landscaping, cleaning out some of the animals habitat, and much more. This is just a small sampling of the volunteer service projects attended during CSA.
For more information on the Community Service Academy and where to sign-up please visit, www.dolphins.com/csa or call (305) 943-7900.
January - MLK Day (On Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President's national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?"
The Miami Dolphins Special Teams answers this question every year by engaging in a service project on MLK Day and encouraging the community to volunteer. Past service projects included painting schools, beautifying neighborhoods and parks, serving in soup kitchens, supporting senior citizens, and running education activities for children.
