First things first, here is my Superbowl prediction:
New Orleans Saints 31
Indianapolis Colts 28
Who is bold enough to make their prediction?But, aside from the parties and shows in Miami, there is much more going on.When you think of Superbowl week, A-list celebrities, NFL
player media days, over-the-top events like Rihanna rocking South Beach and
bringing any city to its knees with traffic congestion are a part of the usual
mix. However, if you believe that either one of these examples given is what
makes Superbowl week something that every football fan should experience, you
are sadly mistaken.
On February 4th, “Kickoff to Rebuild” an extraordinary
event in its 15th year, led by Comfort Inn by Choice Hotels and “The
Steve Harvey Morning Show” joined forces with Rebuilding Together, NFL players
and over 300 volunteers to renovate six homes in the Coconut Grove area of
Miami.
Renovations included interior and exterior painting, pulling
up weeds, laying down grass and mulch, upgrading electrical wiring, replacing
appliances and so much more. Local volunteers got their hands dirty with NFL
players like Brandon Jones and the President/CEO of Choice Hotels
International, Stephen P. Joyce. “We’re in the hospitality business, so we’re
used to taking care of people,” said the CEO in between laying down grass. “So
when we witness the needs in our country today; people that are having
difficulties in holding onto their homes, we wanted to make a difference. While
other companies are pulling back, we (Choice Hotels) are lucky to be doing well
enough to give back.”
Across the country, there are thousands of families in dire
need of assistance. The Truesdell’s are one of them. Wesley Truedell is a 92
year old, disabled Army veteran of World War 2. He is the father of 13 children
and has lived in Miami since 1920. His family has lived in their current
residence for 40 years. Wesley decided to hire a contractor to increase the
size of his home. The contractor took Wesley’s $92,000 and ran off, leaving his
home incomplete and all hope, lost. I stood out front of the Truesdell home
with Wesley’s daughter Michelle and granddaughter Charmaine and watched on as
volunteers changed their lives forever.
“This is just tremendous,” said Michelle as she marveled at
the renovations. “I love it. We don’t know how to take care of a yard. Someone
is going to have to teach us how to keep it up because this is something we’ve never
had. All we had was dirt and rocks. We had a two bedroom home, with one
bedroom. Now we have a five bedroom home with three bedrooms. ‘Rebuilding
Together’ is the best!”“Words can’t even describe it,” Charmaine added. “We lived
here for two years without this. And to see this happen with my own eyes, it’s
breathtaking. We shared a bedroom, four of us because the house wasn’t
finished. For two years, we didn’t know where we were going to go. But now, to
see all of these amazing people out here helping us, it makes me emotional. It
finally looks like a home again.”
Gary Officer, President/CEO of ‘Rebuilding Together’, walked
by during my conversation with the Truesdell’s, so I grabbed his attention and
asked him about the turnout. “Today is an example of an extraordinary
outpouring of volunteerism,” he replied. “Everyone out here wants to see this
community stabilized; they want to be a part of the rebirth. And to see over
300 volunteers out here, five major national corporate sponsors, and
contractors working together on these homes, transforming these homes back into
assets again, shows the goodness in all people and the true power of giving
back.”
Steve Harvey and his morning show crew broadcasted live from
Coconut Grove. And while traveling to see the six homes that were renovated,
local residents gave him the Rock Star treatment. Let’s be honest, Steve wasn’t
about to pick up a brush and risk getting pink paint on his classic suit. His
purpose and presence was best suited as a motivator. He brought smiles to faces
before saying a word and laughter afterwards. During the Pep Rally, he managed
to do it all.“What you all are doing today is amazing,” he said. “You
have volunteered your time, your services and expertise and placed it into a
community that is often forgotten. I just met the Truesdell family. I just
“adopted” Wesley’s granddaughters both 12 and 14 years old. One wants to be a
pediatrician and one wants to be a doctor. So I made them make a promise to me.
If they stay in school, get good grades and don’t have any kids (waiting to
have children until after they’re married), my wife and I agreed that we’d put
them both through college. I also told them that if any boys try to speak to
them, spit on them and keep walking.”
Overall, ‘Kickoff to Rebuild’ was an overwhelming success
this year, as it was the 14 years that preceded it. You could say that it’s on
to the next one; the next year that is. And if the next Superbowl city is near
you, reach out to ‘Rebuilding Together’ and Choice Hotels for information on
how you could be a part of something special.