AutoNation employees joined with players from the NFL’s Miami Dolphins in the Dolphins Cancer Challenge, delivering toys and gifts and spreading holiday cheer to patients and families at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s alex’s place in Miami.

Along with Dolphins tackle Patrick Paul, wide receiver Malik Washington and offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill, and members of the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, AutoNation associates purchased and delivered the gifts and Totes for Hope comfort bags to pediatric cancer patients and their families as part of AutoNation’s DRV PNK initiative to drive out cancer.

alex’s place provides treatments for cancer and blood diseases, as well as survivorship care, for pediatric, adolescent and young adult patients

“We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Dolphins Cancer Challenge in support of the pediatric and young adult patients and their families at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s alex’s place,” AutoNation South Florida market president Benny Dominguez said. “Through DRV PNK, AutoNation has raised and donated more than $45 million to advance lifesaving research and patient care and create moments like today, where our associates can help brighten the holidays for families going through a tough time.”

Dolphins players and cheerleaders helped children and teens pick out gifts and posed for photos, with one player accepting a young patient’s challenge to see who could run faster.

“This event is one of our favorite traditions of the season,” DCC executive director Javier Sanchez said, “and having our Dolphins players here to share these moments makes it even more special as we are reminded of the importance of giving back and spreading joy during the holiday season.”

Rick Case provides bicycles for South Florida children

Rick Case Automotive Group spent the holiday season putting people on wheels. But not always in cars.

The dealership group, which operates 12 locations in South Florida and Georgia, gave away gently used bicycles donated by the community to children in South Florida as part of Rick Case Bikes for Kids.

The Rick Case Volkswagen showroom in Weston, Fla., was filled with bikes that were presented to members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County — the first bicycle for many.

“These boys and girls are so happy and excited to have a bike, and that is what the holiday season is about,” Rick Case Automotive president and CEO Rita Case said. “The generosity of our customers, friends and neighbors in donating these bikes is extraordinary. We all remember our first bike and the joy of that first ride. It’s that sense of freedom and a feeling of independence that comes with riding a bike that makes it so special.”

Since 1982, Rick Case Bikes for Kids has collected more than 124,000 bicycles and distributed them to children through the Boys & Girls Clubs, Habitat for Humanity, Women in Distress and other local charitable organizations, churches, synagogues and schools.

“This annual tradition is so special for our kids,” Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County co-CEO Matt Organ said. “We thank Rita and the entire Rick Case Automotive Group team for spreading the joy of the holiday season through the gift of bicycles.”

Rick Case Automotive Group dealerships in South Florida accepts donations of gently used bicycles for Bikes for Kids annually from October through December 20.