Moms received gift baskets with baby goodies for their soon-to-arrive bundles of joy

United Way Mission United from Miami-Dade and Broward counties, in partnership with the Miami Dolphins, hosted a celebratory baby shower for more than 40 veteran moms from the Miami VA Medical Centers. Held at the Hard Rock Stadium, the moms received gift baskets filled with baby essentials such as diaper boxes, onesies, baby bathing kits, rash creams and more. The festivities also included baby shower games, raffles and a resource fair, where community partners offered available services.

“We are honored to celebrate our women veterans and active-duty service women who are getting ready to be moms,” Laura Whitfield, director, United Way of Miami-Dade Mission United, said. “Not only do the moms get to meet each other and build camaraderie, but also learn about community organizations that serve veterans and their families.”

The veteran moms received a CPR demonstration for babies and the dads had the chance to join in on the fun by competing in baby diaper changing games and win gift cards. Big-ticket raffle items included car seats, playpens and a nursery makeover. At the end, the veteran moms huddled together for a group photo on the field.

“We are excited to partner with all the different agencies, including the VA, Miami-Dade’s Mission United program and the Miami Dolphins,” Sybil Allison, director, United Way of Broward County Mission United, said. “Thanks to our donors as well who donated wonderful gifts and helped provide an amazing experience for our veteran moms.”

“Salute to Service is not just a month for us, it is something that we want to live each and every day to show our appreciation and support to our veterans for their service,” Jason Jenkins, SVP, Miami Dolphins, said. “Through this event we were able to work with our military, mothers and their families, which is very important to us in making South Florida healthier, more educated and united.”

Quick Facts: 

• An estimated 50,000 veterans call Miami-Dade County home.*
  • An estimated 5,900 are female veterans.**
• An estimated 78,500 veterans call Broward County home***
  • An estimated 7,400 are female veterans.**

Mission United serves as a single point of entry for veterans to access the help they need while easing the transition to civilian life. By connecting veterans to a coordinated network of community partners, Mission United empowers veterans and their families to lead productive lives in our community. Services include job training and opportunities, affordable housing, legal resources and more. For Miami-Dade County, please visit www.missionunitedmiami.org or call 305-4-UNITED. For Broward County, please visit MISSIONUNITEDBroward.org or call 954.4.UNITED.

The Miami Dolphins are committed to better serving our nation’s veterans, active duty service members and their families, in year-round programming built around helping them transition to civilian life through events centered on uniting and appreciating. This programming aligns with the NFL’s Salute to Service platform and its partners. By working with Veteran Services Organizations such as United Way Mission United, The Miami Dolphins are capable of reaching a broader range of veterans.