COOL GEAR FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR
Miami Dolphins All-Pro Jason Taylor is back in South Florida, and so is “Cool Gear for the School Year!” On Monday, September 14, the 2007 NFL Man of the Year, along with his wife, Katina, hosted nearly 70 deserving children to his annual back-to-school shopping pro gram as part of his continued community efforts through the Jason Taylor Foundation. The Old Navy in Davie, Fla. was the site of “Cool Gear” for the fifth consecutive year as kids from the Urban League’s of Greater Miami and Broward Counties, as well as His House Children’s Home, each received $300 to purchase school clothes. The children were assisted by celebrity shoppers, including current and former Miami Dolphins players, Dolphins Cheerleaders and one of the program’s most diverse groups of national and local TV, radio, sports and entertainment personalities to date.
T aylor created “Cool Gear for the School Year” to help build self-esteem in young people and eliminate an unnecessary distraction, allowing the children to focus on their studies and not their attire while at school. Prior to shopping, Old Navy hosted a party for the kids with food, music and dancing. DJ Laz, host of the Power 96 morning show, entertained the kids, orchestrated a dance contest and emceed the evening.
Jason’s teammates and friends once again came out in droves to support the cause and shop with the kids. Current Miami Dolphins players including Ronnie Brown, Will Allen, Joey Porter, Akin Ayodele, Yeremiah Bell, Greg Camarillo, Vernon Carey, Dan Carpenter, John Denney, Brandon Fields, Chad Henne, Paul Soliai and Donald Thomas all joined in the fun, as did former Dolphins Tim Bowens, O.J. McDuffie, John Offerdahl, Jeff Cross, Shawn Wooden and others, along with a host of Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders. 
 The evening had some special surprises as well. All four stars of TLC’s hit docudrama, Police Women of Broward County, took a break from patrolling the streets of South Florida to help out the kids, and ESPN college football analysts Desmond Howard and Robert Smith flew in following their weekend responsibilities. Miami Heat legend Alonzo Mourning, along with current stars Udonis Haslem and James Jones, all lent a hand as well. Perhaps the biggest surprise of all, however, came when rap superstars Rick Ross and Trina entered the building, truly ready to help their shoppers locate some “Cool Gear.”
When the dust settled and the music (and shopping!) ceased, the kids filed out of Old Navy with bags upon bags full of new school clothes. Jason knew that each of these lucky children had an experience they will never forget. More importantly, he is hopeful that they go to school each day full of pride and focused on their studies.
Click here to see the Cool Gear for the School Year Photo Gallery
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