A Day in My Hometown with Rebuilding Together

Today I met with the folks from Rebuilding Together to repair homes in my hometown of West Coconut Grove in Miami. They do this every year in the Super Bowl city for Kickoff to Rebuild.

I hadn't been down there in a while and man did it feel good to be back in the place I grew up and see all the volunteers helping out the people. If you want to help Rebuilding Together, go become a [Re]Builder!

Here’s what I did today.

5:00 a.m.

I woke up super early today. Normally I'd be getting ready to work out but today I had more important things to do. First stop was an interview on South Beach with the guys on Fox Sports.

8:30 a.m.

I met Caroline, the CEO of Rebuilding Together, Paul from Lowe's and all their employees that were going to be helping out today to repair the homes. I learned so much about what they do. Kickoff to Rebuild is just the beginning for Rebuilding Together, they work all over the country during the entire year after this. They help people out who have been in their home for so long and can’t afford to repair. They put on new roofs, they paint, they install new appliances and make sure the homes are safe and beautiful, it’s amazing.

9:45 a.m.

Just walking around the streets where I grew up was so fun! It felt good to be back home and seeing all the volunteers doing what they do best. Each year Rebuilding Together works with 100,000 volunteers to repair 10,000 homes across the country. The volunteers were building a ramp to help someone get in and out their house, they were putting in new flooring, painting and replacing windows. I learned from Travis, who runs the Rebuilding Together office in Miami, that they’ve been doing this in the neighborhood for a long time. It feels good to know people care and make sure my old neighbors have a safe place to call home.

11:00 a.m.

I met Ms. Mary, one of the neighbors whose house is being repaired. She was born in her house and has seen the community change so much. She loves her house and wants to live there for the rest of her life. I’m happy Rebuilding Together and the volunteers are there for her. She is so sweet and told me, “Some people write memoirs about their lives. I don’t need that. My family and my home will continue telling my story even after I am gone.”

One of my favorite memories of living there is playing football in the streets. Each corner of the neighborhood had a football team and we would meet outside to play together after school and on the weekends. Walking through my old neighborhood brought back so many memories! It’s nice to see it’s all still there and being taken care of by the community with the help of Rebuilding Together.

11:30 a.m.

I am so happy to be a part of Kickoff to Rebuild and give back to the community where I grew up. I met several of my neighbors and was able to see hundreds of volunteers give back. I am inspired by the amazing work Rebuilding Together is doing to repair homes across the country and give back to so many communities. Thank you to everyone who is helping make life safer for everyone who lives in West Coconut Grove. I’m off to an autograph signing now, but this was the best way to kickoff Super Bowl weekend!

You too can get involved with Rebuilding Together in your neighborhood!