The Patriots Celebrate Volunteerism

PATRIOTS DIFFERENCE MAKERS Congratulations to Patriots Difference Maker of the Year Dr. David Rosenthal On Dec. 30, Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett presented a check for $10,000 to Patriots Difference Maker of the Year Dr. David Rosenthal, a volunteer from the American Cancer Society. Patriots fans in South Africa, and around the world pledged more than 50,000 volunteer hours throughout the 2012 football season. The Foundation teamed with Weymouth Public Schools for a school-based Celebrate Volunteerism pilot program which resulted in more than 20,574 hours pledged by students. Patriots players, including safety Patrick Chung, volunteered in the community each Tuesday throughout the season.

Though the spirit of volunteerism will continue beyond the 2012 football season, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation (NEPCF) celebrated the ongoing Celebrate Volunteerism initiative in a special halftime ceremony at the Patriots’ regular season finale versus the Dolphins on December 30, 2012 at Gillette Stadium.

During the halftime ceremony, Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft announced grants of $1,000 to 15 nonprofits in the name of each of the “Patriots Difference Makers of the Week” selected throughout the season. A Grand Prize winner was also announced, who will receive a $10,000 grant made to their nonprofit in their name. Kraft and Patriots representatives were on hand for a check presentation during the ceremony.

“These Patriots Difference Makers are outstanding examples of making a difference through volunteerism,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “These volunteers rarely receive recognition and we are glad to honor them. We thank them for their selfless service and positive impact in their communities.”

Each week throughout the season, the Foundation focused on different volunteer areas, such as education, mentoring and military. As part of each week’s focus, the Foundation announced the “Patriots Difference Maker of the Week” award, which aimed to recognize one deserving volunteer in the corresponding weekly focus. Each recipient was recognized with an honorary medal and autographed football during a presentation with current and former Patriots players on Patriots Community Tuesdays. Each of the “Patriots Difference Makers of the Week” named throughout the season were hosted as special guests of the Kraft family and were recognized in the halftime ceremony on Dec. 30.

As part of the initiative and Patriots Community Tuesdays, Patriots players made more than 200 appearances in New England communities, participating in activities that included reading books to students, playing games with individuals battling cancer and encouraging children to exercise 60 minutes a day through the NFL PLAY 60 campaign.

Through the Patriots Women’s Association, Patriots families also joined the Celebrate Volunteerism initiative by participating in book, coat, food and toy drives at the gates of Gillette Stadium. They also joined more than 20 current and former Patriots players to distribute 220 complete Thanksgiving meals to families in need, prepared for the annual Children’s Holiday Party for 250 children and served lunch to women in homeless shelter programs in Boston.

Additional Celebrate Volunteerism activities included the opportunity for fans to pledge volunteer hours and submit photos of their own “Patriots Difference Maker” certificates. Patriots’ fans from around the world joined the Celebrate Volunteerism initiative by pledging thousands of volunteer hours to better their local communities.

The Kraft family and Patriots Charitable Foundation will continue to celebrate volunteerism during the post-season, offseason and seasons to come. The Celebrate Volunteerism initiative aims to share examples of dedicated volunteers, build awareness of the need for volunteering, identify and educate others about volunteer opportunities and inspire New Englanders to follow Myra Kraft’s example of becoming a lifelong volunteer.

For more information about the Celebrate Volunteerism initiative, including resources and information about volunteering, the “Patriots Difference Maker” award, and to join the Celebrate Volunteerism movement by pledging volunteer hours, visit www.patriots.com/community.

Week	Volunteerism Weekly Focus	Organization	Patriots Difference Maker	Hometown
Sept. 9	Service Projects Volunteerism	Community Builders	Xavier Robles	Worcester, MA
Sept. 16	Education Volunteerism	uAspire	Jeanne Foster	Springfield, MA
Sept. 23	Public Service Volunteerism	Walpole Medical Reserve Corps	Kathi Garvin	Walpole, MA
Sept. 30	Youth Sports Volunteerism	Special Olympics Mass.	Jim Church	North Easton, MA
Oct. 7	Healthcare Volunteerism	American Cancer Society	Dr. David Rosenthal	Deadham, MA
Oct. 14	Environemental Volunteerism	Mass Audubon	Ruth Connaughton	Harwich, MA
Oct. 21	Global Give Back Volunteerism	Grassroot Soccer	Lucky Mfundisi	Khayelitsha, South Africa
Oct. 28	Arts Volunteerism	Museum of Fine Arts	Ali Jafari	Boston, MA
Nov. 4	Military and Veteran Volunteerism	Operation Christmas Cards	Amanda Sullivan	Worcester, MA
Nov. 11	Violence, Drug Prevention, Bullying Awareness	Girl’s LEAP	Shauna DeLeon	Boston, MA
Nov. 18	Hunger Awareness Volunteerism	Weymouth Food Pantry	Steve Silva	Weymouth, MA
Nov. 25	Mentoring Awareness Volunteerism	Family Services Inc.	Bob Winskowicz	North Andover, MA
Dec. 2	Exercise and Healthy Eating Volunteerism	Rockwell Elementary School	JoAnne Waite	Bristol, RI
Dec. 9	Homelessness Awareness Volunteerism	Pine Street Inn	Michael Ferullo	Chestnut Hill, MA
Dec. 16	Holiday Giving Awareness Volunteerism	Rockingham Meals on Wheels	Renee Estey	Hampton, NH
Dec. 23	Senior Advocate Volunteerism	Springwell	Joan DeFinis	Wellesley, MA

How YOU can make a difference

• Pledge volunteer hours
• Nominate a "Patriots Difference Maker of the Week"
• Participate in book, food, coat and toy drives at Gillette Stadium home games. To learn more, click here.
• Make a donation to the Patriots Charitable Foundation
• Submit photos of volunteer work with Patriots Celebrate Volunteerism certificate to CharitableEvents@patriots.com