Blake Miller, a Senior at Palmer Trinity School who has chaired the Patriot Outreach program for the past five years. Miller coordinates the organization’s drive in Miami-Dade County to collect used — but still functional — athletic equipment, clothing and sneakers which are sorted, boxed and shipped to the Dominican Republic.
These items are then distributed to impoverished children in the Higüey and Punta Cana areas of the country.
The recycled equipment and clothing gives the Dominican Republic youth an opportunity to participate in athletics, much like the boys and girls do here in South Florida.
The Patriot Outreach members have been conducting the annual drive for ten consecutive years and has collected more than 70,000 pieces of sports equipment, uniforms, shoes and related gear. This year, the Patriot Outreach board is comprised of students from many of our local high schools. In addition to Miller, the board members are: Keaton Zargham, Ryan Booth and Jett Caplin from Palmetto High School; Gio Soto of Gulliver High School , and T.J. North of Westminster Christian School and Cole Hebble of Palmer Trinity High School.
This year, the drop-off location is at Suniland Park, 12855 S. Dixie Hwy. In Pinecrest. The hours for collection are Monday through Sunday, 10AM to 5PM, now through Apr. 30. In the front of the park office, there is a drop-off box in where you can leave your donations.
If you have any questions, please feel free to send Blake an e-mail at <blakemiller1024@gmail.com>.
