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VOLUNTEERISM

VOLUNTEERISM

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Patriots Celebrate Volunteerism in 2024

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 the Kraft family's example of becoming lifelong volunteers.

Throughout the season, the Kraft family, the New England Patriots Foundation and Gillette celebrate volunteers that work tirelessly to support children and families in need throughout the New England region, while also encouraging Patriots fans to get involved in their communities.

Each week throughout the season, the Patriots select a "Patriots Difference Maker of the Week." You can learn more about the 2024 winners below.

Chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group and the New England Patriots Robert Kraft, President of the New England Patriots Foundation Josh Kraft and Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett take a group photo with the 2023 Patriots Difference Makers of the Week.
Photo by David Silverman
Chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group and the New England Patriots Robert Kraft, President of the New England Patriots Foundation Josh Kraft and Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett take a group photo with the 2023 Patriots Difference Makers of the Week.

Click here to learn more about the 2023 Patriots Difference Makers of the Week

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Patriots Difference Makers of the Week

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Ana Medina Pilar

Dream Big!
Needham, Mass

Dream Big! was founded in 2010 in Massachusetts to help girls and young women from low-income situations to overcome financial barriers that prevent them from participating in sports and physical activities. Their mission is to help girls and young women from economically disadvantaged communities to achieve their dreams by providing them with the equipment, sports attire, program and college showcase fees and leadership training needed to participate in sports and physical activities that contribute to their health, education and overall well-being.

As a junior in high school, Ana's coach nominated her for the annual Dream Big! Inspirational Leadership Award and she was selected as the honoree for her leadership and success in the classroom. Ana was awarded a scholarship to attend a basketball camp over the summer and her team was awarded new equipment. Since then, she has remained a key volunteer for Dream Big! in many capacities.

Since graduating high school and college and becoming a nurse, she has remained a volunteer and has found new capacities to help. She has helped sort donations, spoken at the annual leadership conference and has raised more than $8,000 running on the nonprofit's Boston Marathon team. She is the first alumni to become a member of the national advisory board.

Ana has been one of the most committed, caring and positive volunteers with the organization. She serves as a constant spokesperson to help recruit new volunteers, donors and athletes. Ana has truly helped to change the lives of thousands of girls and young women through the countless hours she has committed to Dream Big! over the years.

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Jeff McGowan

Empower, Inc.
Cohasset, Mass.

Empower's mission is to empower, support, and connect children and young adults who have experienced the loss of a parent. Childhood bereavement is a severely overlooked and underserved community, and Jeff is helping shed light on this by sharing his story of loss and the impact that it has had on him.

As Jeff shares, he began using alcohol as a coping mechanism as he tried to "buck up," as boys are often taught, and ended up with a DUI. Soon after the DUI, he found a community in Alcoholics Anonymous, and he has now been sober for more than 25 years. Understanding the impact loss has on boys and young men, he encouraged the founder of Empower to expand their work to serve all children. To be more inclusive, the nonprofit changed their name from EmpowerHER to Empower.

Jeff's volunteer roles include recruiting male mentors, serving as a spokesperson and lead ambassador, sharing his story of loss, and serving as a mentor himself. Jeff completes the intakes with each newly enrolled family and has met with countless surviving guardians and children across New England.

He coined the term "Share the Weight," a tagline Empower uses to recruit male mentors. This past year Jeff spearheaded Empower's inaugural Father's Day event in Boston, serving as the chair of a 10-plus person volunteer committee. Jeff serves as an incredible, invaluable spokesperson for Empower as he so frequently speaks about the great work Empower does in the community and urges others to join as volunteers in various capacities.

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