Miami Dolphins running back Zachandre White, Rahim Mostert and 11 of their teammates were at North Fort Myers High School Tuesday morning helping distribute supplies, food and water to families in need as a result of Hurricane Ian.
White, a 2017 graduate of North Fort Myers High School who still has family in the area, said it means a lot to be back at the school and to be able to give back.
“I went to that high school,” White said. “I’m from here. I’m glad my teammates came to help me, the whole Miami Dolphins organization. I’m just happy to be here. It’s great to give money to people in need. A lot of people don’t have things right now. It feels great to be able to help them.”
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Dolphins players, including offensive lineman Greg Little, cornerback Kader Kahou, linebacker Channing Tyndall, helped load water into trunks, handed out freshly prepared food and even brought a few items the players purchased themselves, such as generators, diapers, traps, rakes and batteries .
They were joined by senior student-athletes at North Fort Myers as well as school staff. More than 4,000 meals and $35,000 worth of supplies were distributed, according to the school district.
“It just shows the rich tradition of North Fort Myers High School alumni, what a community this is and what this school is all about,” North Fort Myers head football coach Dwayne Mack said. “I often brag and call this school the Stanford of Lee County because we have great academics and great athletics. Seeing alumni like Z come back and team up the Miami Dolphins with the Lee County School District and North Fort Myers is great. It is a matter of honor. I am proud to be a part of the North Fort Myers community and to lead the North Fort Myers football team. Doing all the sports — cheerleading, soccer, bowling, volleyball — is a great experience.”
Rob Spiker, a spokesman for the Lee County School District, said the Dolphins contacted him more than a week ago to find out how they could get involved.
Cars started lining up outside the school more than an hour before 11am.
“We’re just thrilled that the Dolphins are here to help our community and use this school as a distribution point,” Spiker said. “We are glad that we can cooperate with them. They approached me about a week and a half ago and said, “We have a player on the team whose parents live in Cape Coral, he’s got some injuries, he’s been going back and forth.” We want to help him and this community. What do you need? What can we bring? What can we do? ‘
“They were already working with World Central Kitchen, we just thought, ‘Here’s the stuff we know we need. Power went out, generators needed. Babies need baby food and formula. Water and non-perishable food, obviously.’ They bring batteries, brooms. It was another opportunity for the school district in our role to help people heal.”
White rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns in 14 games over two seasons at North Fort Myers. In 2017, White, considered one of the best running backs in the country, signed with Florida State and spent one season there. He also played one year at Iowa Western Community College before playing two seasons at South Carolina. He signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in May and is currently a member of the team’s practice squad.
White said he wanted to do something as soon as he saw the devastation Ian had left behind.
“When it happened, I saw how many people were in need,” he said. “I have a lot of family here. Just being able to give back and being able to give back to my community means a lot to me.”
Mostert, who grew up in New Smyrna Beach, said he could identify with the people who came for help Tuesday.
“It means a lot because I lived through that experience,” Mostert said. “I grew up in hurricane season. I remember the time when I was a little boy, the trees were cut down, there were no necessary supplies. Being able to go out and ask for help is definitely important in society. It is very important that we all stick together, especially at a time like this for the state, because it is a national one.”
