Staff Report

DAVIE, Fla. – At the first South Florida Hope to Dream Sleepover, Ashley HomeStore and the Miami Dolphins surprised 100 underprivileged children with the gift of comfortable sleep for years to come.

Each of the children, who’ve had less than ideal sleeping conditions, enjoyed a sleepover party at the Dolphins Training Center, where they received their very own twin-sized bed and bedding from Ashley HomeStore, decked out with a Miami Dolphins comforter.

“Partnering with the Dolphins gave us a terrific chance to create some magic for these kids,” said Keith Koenig, president of City Furniture, the southeast and southwest Florida licensee for Ashley HomeStore. “The sleepover party on the Dolphins’ training field made for once-in-a-lifetime memories, and their new beds should make a lasting difference in their comfort and quality of sleep.”

The event, hosted by the Miami Dolphins on Feb. 24, was the latest gridiron-themed sleepover for Ashley HomeStore’s international Hope to Dream initiative.

At the South Florida event, the kids enjoyed dinner, toured the Dolphins locker room and powered through fun games and activities with Miami Dolphins players Xavien Howard, Bobby McCain, Rashawn Scott, Kenny Stills and Laremy Tunsil, cheerleaders, Fins Force and mascot TD before a dance party on their new beds.

“It’s a great experience and I’m happy to be here,” McCain said. “Underprivileged kids coming in here and Ashley HomeStore (is)

doing a great job providing these kids with beds. With the Miami Dolphins and the league in general, kids are important. It’s not all about football, it’s a lot bigger than that.”

Ashley HomeStore, the largest furniture retailer in the U.S., dedicates a portion of proceeds from every mattress sale at participating locations to its Hope to Dream program, which has donated 40,000 new beds and bedding to children in need since 2010.

All Ashley HomeStore locations in MiamiDade through Indian River counties in South Florida, and in Naples and Fort Myers on the state’s west coast, are active year-round in the Hope to Dream charity’s donation program.

The furniture chain was assisted with the South Florida Hope to Dream Sleepover by Simmons Serta, Bedgear and Mantua.