The Fins Weekend Fishing Tournament, to benefit the Miami Dolphins Foundation, is May 21 out of Miami Beach Marina.
Anglers can fish for dolphin, wahoo, kingfish and tuna with Dolphins players and coaches. In addition, tickets are available for the Hook & Tackle Captains’ Party 6:30-10:30 p.m. May 20 ($250) and for the tournament awards party 5:30 p.m. May 21 ($150).
Both parties are at the marina and feature Dolphins players, coaches, alumni and cheerleaders, as well as silent and live auctions and entertainment. All proceeds benefit City Year Miami, which mentors kids to graduate from high school.
“We’re actually in 17 schools across the whole geography of Miami-Dade County,” said City Year Miami Executive Director & Vice President Keith Fletcher. “We put young idealists into the schools to serve as mentors.”
The Dolphins work with two Miami Gardens schools that aren’t far from Sun Life Stadium: Miami Carol City and Miami Norland. Over the past four years, students have increased their math proficiency at both schools and the graduation rates have increased — by 13.4 percent at Carol City and by 14.3 percent at Norland.
And the Dolphins, who entered into a four-year $1 million partnership with City Year Miami last year, do more than provide money. The entire franchise is involved in helping the kids.
“The financial investment is incredible, but it’s the investment of the full spectrum of the Dolphins,” Fletcher said. “The Dolphins aren’t just content to make financial contributions.
“There’s active engagement from players, from staff, from executives. You’ve got former Dolphins greats like Twan Russell showing up and talking about realizing your potential. Their staff has been involved in helping with the sports medicine program at Norland. They’re supporting the kids who have an interest in that as a career and providing some hands-on training.
“They certainly walk the talk.”
Visit finsweekend.com.
