Super Bowl brings football…and volunteers

More than a dozen people gathered in front of the Truesdell House Thursday to hear some good news: When the Super Bowl rolls into South Florida next year it will bring more than superstar athletes and football. An army of volunteers will come too.

More than 250 volunteers will flood Coconut Grove on Feb. 4—three days before kickoff—to revitalize five area homes. Working with Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade, current and former NFL players will donate time, money and materials for the day of community outreach.  Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade, is the local arm of a national nonprofit organization that fixes up the homes of low-income, elderly and disabled people. The organization has repaired 64 West Grove homes since 2006.

The event in February is part of the Super Bowl XLIV Kickoff to Rebuild, which is an annual project that takes place each year in the city where the game is played in an effort to preserve affordable housing. There will be a block-party at the end of the work day for volunteers and the community.

To become a volunteer, register at www.rebuildingtogethermiami.org.

Rebuilding together staffers prepare for the press conference to announce the “Kickoff to Rebuild” event while Wesley Truesdell looks on from his porch. Rebuilding Together will rebuild his house after a dishonest contractor ran off without finishing the job leaving the home half-built

Former Miami Police officer Dr. Rick Holton spoke about revitalizing the community and the work that will be done on 5 homes in Coconut Grove during the Kickoff to Rebuild event.

NFL Hall of Famer and former Miami Dolphin player, Dwight Stephenson addresses the crowd in front of the Truesdell house speaking about the positive impact projects like this one has on the community.

Charles Williams, grandson of Wesley Truesdell, shares with Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado some old photographs of when his grandfather was in the army during World War II.

Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado rejoins the audience after giving his speech.

Marcia Cutler, granddaughter of Wesley Truesdell, gives a speech thanking those helping her family rebuild their house.