Miami Dolphins defensive players and Ashley HomeStore Deliver Beds to South Florida Families

Homestead, FL – If you call yourself a Miami Dolphins fan, I hope you’re doing your part in supporting these players because they’re certainly doing their part of supporting our local community. In yet another #DolphinsHuddleFor100 project, last week, Miami Dolphins defensive players Charles Harris, Raekwon McMillan and Christian Wilkins together with Ashley HomeStore, delivered and assembled beds for two families in Homestead, FL.

The Fins might be struggling, but instead of losing sleep over their favorite football team, these families are probably sleeping a bit easier these days thanks to these Miami Dolphins defensive players and Ashley HomeStore. “The Miami Dolphins and Ashley HomeStore brought me and my kids some beds for them to sleep in. We just left the shelter and moved into our own place and needed furniture so it means everything. It was a wonderful experience and I really appreciate it,” Roshonera Allen said.

This past June, the Miami Dolphins hosted the third annual Ashley HomeStore Hope to Dream Sleepover where 100 underprivileged children took joy in a sleepover party at the Baptist Health Training Facility. Aside from the party, they were all treated to their very own twin-size bed and bedding from Ashley HomeStore along with a Miami Dolphins comforter. 

Ashley HomeStore, the largest furniture retailer in the U.S., dedicates a portion of proceeds from every mattress sale at participating locations to its nationwide Hope to Dream program, which has donated 80,000 new beds and bedding to children in need since 2010. All Ashley HomeStore locations in Miami-Dade through Indian River counties in South Florida are active year-round in the Hope to Dream charity’s donation program. Helping Ashley Homestore bring this year’s Hope to Dream Sleepover to fruition were Bedgear, Mantua, and Tempur-Sealy.

“We are so proud to partner with the Dolphins to make so many kids happy,” Ashley HomeStore President of the Southeast and Southwest Florida Licensee Andrew Koenig said. “The kids had an exciting opportunity to meet Dolphin players in their own homes, and they received new beds that should make a lasting difference in their quality of sleep.”

I remember when I was a preteen, I had surgery for an infection in my sinus cavity. While recovering in the hospital, I was paid a visit from a few Miami Dolphins players (I don’t remember which ones) and I thought that was the coolest thing in the world. It meant so much to me that these NFL players would come to see me. That experience, aside from just being a Miami homer, made me Fins fan for life, so I know how impactful these events can be for young people. 

“It is definitely a humbling experience when you can get in the community and do something for other people. It’s always special to see the reaction of these kids, see their faces and how excited they are to get their new beds,” Wilkins said. “When you’re in the position and have good influence and the impact that we do, it’s always important to be a positive role model. I’m happy that we could be here. The Dolphins do a great job of creating community service opportunities for us on our day off every Tuesday to really get us out there in the community and this is something they are doing with Ashley HomeStore to where we can give back.”

📸Credit: Miami Dolphins