What started as a technology tour inside Amazon’s robotics fulfillment center in Opa-locka quickly turned into a joyful surprise for two youth mentoring organizations serving South Florida.
During a community event Friday afternoon at Amazon’s MIA1 Fulfillment Center, the company surprised Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward with $25,000 each in funding and purchased everything on both organizations’ public Amazon wish lists—an unexpected gift that leaders say will directly benefit the young people they serve.
The visit also featured Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett—a two-time Stanley Cup Champion and 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy winner—and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who served as guests of honor for the event.
Before the surprise announcement, Bennett, Mayor Levine Cava, and Big Brothers & Big Sisters team members and mentees were invited to experience a hands-on look at the fulfillment center’s operations. Bennett and Cava were invited to pack shipments alongside Amazon employees, giving them a firsthand understanding of what it’s like to work inside the fast-moving logistics facility.
The event brought together about 30 attendees, including Amazon leaders and youth from both mentoring organizations. Roughly a dozen youth and staff members from the Miami-Dade and Broward chapters of Big Brothers Big Sisters attended to participate in the afternoon’s activities.
“Each team, every player has a role and we saw that today and that’s what we do at Big Brothers Big Sisters. So it’s a human connection to make sure these kids– who dont need to be fixed– are connected and exposed so they can achieve sucess in the game of life,” said Gale Nelson, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami during a fireside chat after the facilty tour.
The facility tour also gave the visiting youth an opportunity to see the advanced robotics and technology that power Amazon’s fulfillment operations.
But the highlight of the afternoon came when Amazon revealed that it had fulfilled the organizations’ wish lists and was giving away a total of $50,000.
Leaders from both organizations were genuinely surprised by the announcement, responding with visible excitement and gratitude as the news was shared with the room.
The donations support programs that connect youth with adult mentors who help guide them academically, socially and personally—an approach that both organizations say helps young people build confidence, expand opportunities and develop important life skills.
When asked during the fireside chat what the next generation needs us to do, Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Broward County President & CEO, Malena Mendez said, “Empower them, support them, and create opportunities.”
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