Children and teens make a huge impact at Amelia Earhart Park on Global Youth Service Day
(MIAMI, April 18, 2014) – More than 150 young people and their families participated in Global Youth Service Day, sponsored by Delta Dental and Marlins Ayudan, at Amelia Earhart Park in Miami on Saturday, April 12, 2014. The volunteer day of service was hosted by the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, in partnership with the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade.
Projects included beautifying the park’s main entrance and five-acre dog park. More than 650 plants were installed, 300 trees were mulched, and a fresh coat of paint was applied to picnic tables, dog agility equipment and more.
District 13 Commissioner Esteban Bovo, Jr. helped kick-off the day of service.
“It’s great to see so many young people giving back to our community,” said Commissioner Bovo. “Teaching children the importance of service is very valuable.”
Volunteers took home goody bags containing items from the sponsoring organizations, including tickets to a Miami Marlins game where they will be recognized for their acts of service during a pre-game on-field ceremony.
For more volunteer opportunities, please visit www.iaminvolved.org. Individuals, businesses and organizations interested in sponsoring future volunteer projects at parks across the county, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Angie Gomez at 305-961-2781 or e-mail at [email protected].
About Delta Dental
Since 1954, Delta Dental has been working to improve oral health and hygiene by emphasizing preventative care, because they believe that everyone deserves to enjoy a healthy smile. Delta Dental Plans Association is a not-for-profit organization with some for-profit affiliates as member companies. Through 39 independent member companies, they offer national dental coverage—administering programs and reporting systems that provide groups and individuals with quality, cost-effective dental benefits and superior customer service. As America's largest and most trusted dental benefits carrier, they cover more Americans than any other dental benefits provider—and strive daily to make dental coverage more accessible and affordable to a wide variety of employers, groups and individuals.
About Marlins Ayudan
Marlins Ayudan (Spanish for “help”) is the Marlins’ front-office volunteer program. The purpose of Marlins Ayudan is to provide a sustainable corps of volunteers willing and ready to effectuate positive change in the community. The goal of Marlins Ayudan is to leave a lasting legacy as a result of Marlins Ayudan activities; to engage the front office in volunteer work as well as act as a conduit to help each employee find a cause they are passionate about; and finally, to be recognized by the community as a corporate leader in volunteerism that fulfills an integral role within the community.
About The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade
The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County’s world-class parks system for residents and visitors. Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities. For more information on the Parks Foundation, please visit www.liveaparklife.com.
About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award, winner of the 2013 Florida Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award and the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami, Deering Estate at Cutler and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.