NEW SMYRNA BEACH — Hundreds lined up outside the Alonzo “Babe” James Community Center in New Smyrna Beach Tuesday afternoon not only to receive hurricane relief supplies, but also to meet a very special guest.
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert visited his hometown this week and, in a joint effort with the city, provided items needed in the community after Hurricane Milton blew through last week.
“I just wanted to come back and give some relief, give some aid, be back here and help as much as I can,” Mostert said.
Mostert, who attended the event with his wife, Devon, and their three children, helped center staff, city officials and volunteers prepare donation stations set up in the center’s indoor court.
Mostert previous visits: Dolphins' Raheem Mostert returns to NSB hometown with truckload of Christmas toys
Tables were piled with several different items to be distributed: non-perishable foods, toilet paper, bath products and even gift cards.
After some brief words from Mayor Fred Cleveland, who thanked Mostert for “giving back to your hometown,” residents made their way into the center.
Mostert and the mayor stood by the door where community members entered and enthusiastic smiles, hugs, selfies and jersey autographs with the NFL star followed.
After almost an hour spent greeting old friends and family, Mostert said he was happy to see how appreciative residents were to see him help.
“It was a good turnout,” Mostert said. “I didn’t expect too much, I just wanted to come and help out as much as I could, and it was beautiful.
"Everybody seems to be happy, (everybody) has good smiles, good attitude, and that’s all you ever want to see, right? A good, positive role model coming back and helping out the community.”
While Hurricane Milton was not as devastating to the city’s historic westside neighborhood as 2022’s Tropical Storm Ian, streets around the community center still saw the usual flooding and scattered debris from the storm.
'I saw Raheem today!'
Many who saw Mostert in the city Tuesday afternoon remember when the NFL running back lived in the neighborhood.
Mary Murrell said she remembered attending the same church as Mostert, Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, “when he was younger, much younger.”
“I’m very happy to see Raheem,” Murrell said. “I hadn’t seen him since he went pro, so I’m very happy to see him.”
Murrell said she didn’t get a chance to see Mostert the two times he visited the neighborhood in the last few years.
“But I watch the games,” she added.
Mostert returned to the city for two Christmas toy giveaway events, one in 2022 and another in 2023.
Velma Washington, a Volusia County Schools employee, said she knows Mostert “very well” and was also happy to see him back in town.
She was excited to tell her son, who lives in Kansas, about her encounter with Mostert.
“He was the classmate of my youngest son, so I have something to call him and tell him, ‘I saw Raheem today!’” Washington said.
She said the initiative to help provide hurricane relief supplies was a “good idea.”
“It was so nice to be able to come out here and (I'm) blessed to be able to receive what I’ve received,” Washington said.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Miami Dolphins Raheem Mostert visits hometown of NSB to deliver Hurricane Milton relief
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