Dade County Federal Credit Union and the Miami Dolphins recently collaborated to bring financial education and seasonal fun to students in South Florida. As part of their new partnership to serve as the preferred credit union of the Miami Dolphins, Dade County Federal and the Dolphins presented festive events and financial literacy classes for elementary school students of Miami-Dade and Broward counties. In addition, the credit union will hold several of its annual car sale events at Hard Rock Stadium.
Recently, students from Bennett Elementary in Broward County and Golden Glades Elementary in Miami-Dade were taught some financial basics in a fun way by representatives of the credit union. For example, the kids learned the differences between financial needs and wants, how to keep their money safe and how they should learn to not only save and spend their money – but also share. The main lesson was that saving can be fun because you can later use your money to buy things you want and also have it on-hand for “a rainy day.”
Credit union employees then distributed kits for the students to create Moon Jar money boxes so they can start saving right away. Each child also received a small contribution to their savings from the credit union with the students who successfully answered questions from the lesson earning a little extra.
Following the financial literacy event, the students were bused to Spirit Halloween in Aventura where they met Miami Dolphins players, cheerleaders and front office staff. After a quick snack of pizza, each child was paired with players and cheerleaders to pick out a complimentary Halloween costume.
About a dozen Dolphins players participated, including veteran wide receiver Kenny Stills, 2018 first round draft pick and rookie safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and rookie tight end Mike Gesicki. The players helped transform the students into unicorns, super heroes and pirates.
“It’s cool to get out here and be with them, this is a special time in their life,” said Dolphins player Kalen Ballage. “I was a football player for Halloween like six years in a row, and now I am able to give back to them and they can have fun with something that they will remember forever.”
Dade County Federal has more events planned with the Dolphins, including its first Car Sale Feb.14-16 at Hard Rock Stadium. The event draws automobile dealers representing dozens of makes and models and offers excellent deals for the general public as well as credit union members.
“We see a tremendous opportunity to leverage the Dolphins’ brand to promote financial literacy in our backyard,” said Dade County Federal Vice President of Marketing and Business Development Mauricio Morales. “Like the Dolphins, we have a long-term philosophy to improve our community and our young people.”
Dade County Federal Credit Union maintains 12 branches including its mobile branch and is a not-for-profit financial institution that is owned by the members and operated exclusively for their benefit. Dade County Federal is the preferred credit union of the Miami Dolphins. For more information, visit www.dcfcu.org.
