The Miami Dolphins hosted the third annual Football UNITES™ Jason Jenkins Days of Service throughout the month of October to honor the life and legacy of the late Jason Jenkins, the organization's former Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs.
Now in its third year, the Football UNITES™ Jason Jenkins Days of Service has grown from a single day into a month-long initiative. The effort unites Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Open and Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix executives and staff, along with Dolphins players, alumni, community partners, media members, local officials and corporate partners – including Eleven Sports Media, KIA and Florida Technical College – to serve the South Florida community.
Elizabeth Jenkins, wife of Jason Jenkins and Executive Board Chair of the Dolphins Cancer Challenge, along with her children, were joined by Managing General Partner/Chairman of the Board Stephen Ross and Vice Chairman, President and CEO, Tom Garfinkel, who also participated in the month of service.
In total, 1000+ volunteers dedicated approximately 3,500 hours across more than 30 community projects, positively impacting more than 72,000 South Florida residents.
Volunteers at community service projects:
- Served meals to more than 1,500 community members, including seniors, youth, law enforcement and those experiencing food insecurity.
- Inspected, sorted and packaged more than 45,000 pounds of food.
- Assembled more than 600 hygiene kits and care packages.
- Supported education initiatives for nearly 1,000 children and teens.
- Facilitated athletic and holiday events at local community centers and schools.
The month-long initiative culminates tonight, Thursday, Oct. 30, on what would have been Jason's 51st birthday, with the Dolphins game vs. Baltimore at Hard Rock Stadium. Elizabeth and the Jenkins children will join fans in one of five pregame service activations that include assembling hygiene essentials for those in need, bereavement support kits for families experiencing loss, assembling "Goodnight Kits" for families staying overnight at a local pediatric hospital, writing postcards for community care packages and preparing Goya food bags that will go on to benefit local families at the Dolphins annual Thanksgiving event. Ticketed fans are encouraged to join these volunteer efforts beginning at 4 p.m.in the Dolphins Fan Zone.
In addition to the community service projects, the Dolphins will announce the launch of the Jason Jenkins Legacy Grant during tonight's game.
"I'm honored to see how Jason's legacy continues to live on through this month of service," said Elizabeth Jenkins, wife of Jason Jenkins and Executive Board Chair of the Dolphins Cancer Challenge. "Each interaction this month has revealed the lasting impact of my husband's work, showing how his spirit continues to live on through the seeds he planted in the community he loved so deeply. There's no better way to celebrate Jason's birthday than by serving others – something that was at the heart of who he was. Being able to share these moments with our children, Liya, Aiden and Sloane, has been profoundly moving. A special thank you to Stephen Ross, Tom Garfinkel and the entire Dolphins family – your unwavering support is why Jason's memory continues to thrive."
Jason Jenkins joined the Miami Dolphins in 2009 and dedicated 14 years to serving the South Florida community. Promoted to Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs in 2015, he oversaw marketing, public relations, social media and community efforts for the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Open presented by Itaú and Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. Jenkins led several of the organization's most impactful community programs, including the Junior Dolphins youth football program, the Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program, the Dolphins Cancer Challenge and Football UNITES™, which he created to bring people together across lines of race, gender, sexual orientation, identity, ability and faith. His leadership and vision for community programming served as a model for the NFL. To learn more, visit miamidolphins.com/remembering-jason-jenkins.
