FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dan MacPherson; DMacPherson@kraftse.com; 774-226-3031

KRAFT FAMILY, PATRIOTS FOUNDATION AND GILLETTE DONATE $275,000 IN THE NAMES OF 2022 MYRA KRAFT COMMUNITY MVP AWARD WINNERS

Twenty-six volunteers were recognized during an awards luncheon at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, June 8 Mary Cooper of Shirley, Mass. presented with $10,000 donation for the Greater Boston Chapter of United Spinal Assocation

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – For the past 25 years, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation have been recognizing volunteers for going above and beyond to give back to their communities through the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program. Formerly known as the Community Quarterback Awards, this volunteer recognition was renamed in 2011 in memory of Myra Kraft.

On Wednesday, June 8, 26 volunteers were recognized for their contributions at an awards ceremony at Gillette Stadium. In total, $275,000 in donations were distributed to the nonprofits represented by each volunteer. Twenty-five organizations each received $10,000 and the Grimes King Foundation for the Elderly received this year’s grand prize of $25,000.

“Of all the community initiatives we support through the Patriots Foundation, this was always Myra’s favorite and I am proud that we continue to honor her legacy of volunteerism by recognizing the amazing work of dozens of volunteers each year,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “She loved meeting all of the honorees and hearing their heartwarming stories of volunteerism. There are so many people doing great things in our communities. It restores all faith in humanity. We enjoyed reviewing this year’s applications and selecting the 26 dedicated individuals that are helping to make the world a better place.”

Gillette, a longtime supporter of the New England Patriots and a cornerstone partner of the Patriots Foundation, served as the presenting sponsor for this year’s program. On hand to congratulate the award winners were Robert Kraft, President of Kraft Family Philanthropies Josh Kraft, Patriots, College and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs Andre Tippett and John Claughton, VP of Grooming, North America, Procter & Gamble.

“This program has always been my family’s favorite charitable initiative,” said Josh Kraft. “Each year, we read hundreds of heartfelt stories of volunteerism and we are honored to celebrate those who go above and beyond to help others. We were excited to partner with our good friends at Gillette for this year’s program and appreciate their shared commitment to building stronger New England communities.”

“As a long-time witness of the great and positive impact the Kraft family has had on the New England community, Gillette could not be more proud to share in honoring Myra’s legacy as the presenting sponsor of the Myra Kraft MVP Awards,” said John Claughton. “Joined by the same drive to be a force for good for the communities we serve, Gillette looks forward to supporting all the honorees and volunteers that continue the work Myra so passionately championed.”

Mary Cooper of Shirley, Mass. was recognized as one of this year’s honorees and presented with a $10,000 donation for the Greater Boston Chapter of United Spinal Association.

Twenty-one years ago, Mary broke her back in a car accident, effectively changing her life forever. As she navigated life in a wheelchair, Mary turned this experience into an opportunity to support other individuals affected by paralysis and spinal cord injuries.

“I belong to a club that no one wants to join until they have to. This club is the Greater Boston Chapter (GBC) of United Spinal Association, where to become a member, you have to sustain a spinal cord injury or have a Spinal Cord disease,” said Mary. “There are thousands of people in Massachusetts in this club. When I joined 21 years ago, I was scared of what would happen to me in the future. How would I live, where would I live? How would I raise my daughter? Life happened, I met my mentors and learned to live again.”

For the past 17 years, Mary has been volunteering as a peer mentor for the United Spinal Association. She spends up to 30 hours per week leading support groups, advocating for new legislation on the state and national level, sharing her story and supporting those with life-altering injuries.

“Through volunteering I have met so many people at different stages of life and recovery. I have watched newly injured men and women come into meetings very vulnerable, fearing the unknown, scared at what their life has become, they learn to cry, mourn, listen and finally laugh,” said Mary. “We share our experiences, strength and hope with each other. No topic is too big or too small. Volunteering with the GBC is one of the most fulfilling things that I have ever done, besides raising my daughter. I have met people from all over the country and I have made lasting friendships. I hope that, along the way, I have helped other club members become what they are meant to be.”

The 2022 Myra Kraft Community MVP winners range from 15 to 85 years old and represent every New England state. The selected nonprofits provide support for many causes, including education, domestic violence prevention, healthcare, homelessness, mentoring and military support.

Since its inception, the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program has recognized more than 450 volunteers and donated more than $3 million to support nonprofit organizations across New England.

The Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation received more than 250 applications this year from nonprofit organizations looking to recognize their outstanding volunteers. Nominations open each spring and the awards are open to all nonprofit organizations in the New England region.

For more information on the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards, please visit www.patriots.com/community.

Procter & Gamble’s VP of Grooming, North America, John Claughton (far left), Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft and Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett congratulate Mary Cooper of Shirley, Mass. for being selected as a 2022 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winner. During the June 8 luncheon, the Kraft family, the Patriots Foundation and Gillette awarded $275,000 in grants to 26 New England nonprofits.

The Greater Boston Chapter of United Spinal Association received a $10,000 grant in honor of Mary’s volunteer efforts. (photo courtesy of Eric J. Adler/New England Patriots) Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, President of Kraft Family Philanthropies Josh Kraft, Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs Andre Tippett, Procter & Gamble’s VP of Grooming, North America, John Claughton and Procter & Gamble’s VP of Communications & Community Affairs, Global Grooming, Kara Buckley take a group photo with the 2022 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winners on the Gillette Stadium field. (photo courtesy of Eric J. Adler/New England Patriots)

Below is a complete list of the 2022 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award Winners:

First and Last Name, Hometown, Organization, Organization Town

Wayne Barbour Springfield, Mass. Springfield Youth Athletics Feeding Hills, Mass.

Joseph Bennett Boston, Mass. Yardtime Entertainment Inc Boston, Mass.

Katonya Burke Dorchester, Mass. Trinity Boston Connects Boston, Mass.

Thelma Burns Dorchester, Mass. The Grimes King Foundation for the Elderly Boston, Mass.

Dawn Carveth West Bridgewater, Mass. Sunshine Farm Sanctuary Bridgewater, Mass.

Grace Chen Somerville, Mass. Camp Casco Sudbury, Mass.

Mary Cooper Shirley, Mass. United Spinal Association Woburn, Mass.

Cynthia Cote Durham, Mass. Betty J. Borry Breast Cancer Retreats Durham, N.H.

Michael Crawley Cranston, R.I. Freiderich’s Ataxia Research Alliance Johnston, R.I.

Robert Dunn Natick, Mass. Care Dimensions Danvers, Mass.

Jimmy Giddings Melrose, Mass. Boys & Girls Club of Stoneham & Wakefield Stoneham, Mass.

Barbara Girardi Hopkinton, Mass. Live4Evan Hopkinton, Mass.

Felicia Hickey Stoughton, Mass. The Phoenix Boston, Mass.

Oliver Kaufman Stamford, Conn. Food Rescue US Stamford, Conn.

Elizabeth Keeley Melrose, Mass. Boston Rescue Mission Boston, Mass.

Rosemarie Lopes New Bedford, Mass. Southeastern MA Veterans Housing Program New Bedford, Mass.

Dr. Michael Matos Wolfeboro, N.H. American Diabetes Association New Durham, N.H.

Shane McColgan Carver, Mass. Shane Gives Thanks Food Pantry Carver, Mass.

Holly McHale Waterboro, Maine Outdoors Again Waterboro, Maine

Leah Bailey Moon Bloomfield, Conn. Autism Families CONNECTicut West Hartford, Conn.

Ryan Najemy Brookline, Mass. Jeff’s Place Children’s Bereavement Center Framingham, Mass.

Beth Pransky Hanson, Mass. Jay’s Hope & Promise Hanson, Mass.

Michelle Ratty Tyngsborough, Mass. Lowell General Hospital Lowell, Mass.

Hank Shafran Brookline, Mass. The Boston House Brookline, Mass.

Catherine Ann Wilson Standish, Maine Stop Trafficking Us Standish, Maine

Todd Zavorskas Brooklyn, Conn. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Brooklyn, Conn.

--PATRIOTS--