VOLUNTEERISM

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Patriots Celebrate Volunteerism in 2025

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 2025 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 here.

Chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group and the New England Patriots Robert Kraft takes a group photo with the 2024 Patriots Difference Makers of the Week.

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NOMINATE A DIFFERENCE MAKER

Patriots Difference Makers of the Week

Patti Hurley-Felt

North Suffolk Community Services
Chelsea, Mass.

Patti leads free GED preparation classes for those in recovery as part of community-based mental health and recovery services that North Suffolk Community Services provides. She brings more than academic instruction to her students; she brings hope, encouragement, and the belief that every individual is capable of success.

A person in long-term recovery herself, Patti openly shares how education has been central to her own recovery journey, inspiring her students to see their studies not only as a pathway to a diploma but as a step toward stability, independence, and self-worth. Patti brings decades of experience working in the public school system, allowing her classroom to be structured yet encouraging.

She tailors her lessons to diverse learning needs, breaking down challenging concepts into achievable steps and providing constructive feedback that motivates her students to keep going. Patti also played a key role in assisting with a grant application that provided the funding necessary to launch the GED program. Patti is passionate about pushing her students to believe in themselves and learn outside of their comfort zones.

Patti creates a safe, nonjudgemental space where individuals can rediscover their confidence in recovery and embrace education as a powerful tool for change. With her dedication, the first group of students are ready to sit for their GED tests and reach a true milestone of resilience.

Jimmy Collins

New Englanders Helping Our Veterans
Harrisville, R.I.

Jimmy founded New Englanders Helping Our Veterans (NEHOV) in 2016 to honor his best friend who committed suicide upon returning home from Vietnam. He created NEHOV to assist Veterans in the New England area and provide easier access to assistance.

Jimmy has been able to provide many Veterans with the hand up that is needed in times of despair. Whether it be temporary housing assistance, food, clothing, gas, utilities assistance or just an open ear to listen to a lonely Veteran living in isolation, Jim has committed his life to the mission of NEHOV.

From meeting with Veterans just to talk, helping them pay overdue utilities, helping pay for temporary housing, car repairs, food assistance, moving, and so much more, Jimmy is dedicated to helping Veterans through each unique need.

Jimmy goes out 4-6 days a week trying to fulfill as many requests as possible. With many Veterans receiving a housing voucher, they don't receive anything to go in the house. NEHOV donates and furnishes home goods, and delivers them, to give Veterans the necessities to establish a home. Jimmy puts compassion and care into each Veteran that reaches out, or has someone reach out for them, to give them support they need.

Jeanne DeSanto

Vineyard Havens
Lexington, Mass.

Vineyard Havens, Inc. was founded by Jeanne DeSanto and is dedicated to providing week-long, all-expenses-paid vacations on Martha's Vineyard for families in cancer treatment serving all ages, all stages and all kinds of cancer. Their mission is to offer a place of rest, joy, and reconnection-free from the emotional, financial, and physical burdens of treatment-so that families can focus on what matters most: each other.

Jeanne has designed every stay to remove barriers and enhance memory making. Patients and their families are placed in beautiful private homes, provided ferry transportation, a stocked fridge, a delicious meal brought to them on their first night of vacation, a "fun money" stipend, and on-island activities all provided at no cost.

Since inception, the nonprofit has hosted 752 guests, including 59 pediatric cancer patients, 68 children with a parent facing cancer and 89 siblings of pediatric patients.

Jeanne is often the first voice families hear, listening with compassion as they share their cancer journey, easing worries about traveling to an island, and reassuring them their stay will be safe and thoughtfully curated to their needs. Jeanne leads by example and ensures that every family has a memorable experience in a place of healing.

Steve Wong

Horizons for Homeless Children
Roxbury, Mass.

Horizons for Homeless Children, based in Roxbury, helps improve the lives of young homeless children in Massachusetts and helps their families succeed by providing high-quality early education, opportunities for play, and comprehensive family support services. In the Playspace Program, Horizons provides children with safe, developmentally appropriate playrooms within shelters, filled with toys, books, and arts and crafts materials.

Steve has been a Playspace Activity Leader for the past two years. He volunteers every Wednesday evening, working with children under age eight in the play space areas. With many of the children experiencing trauma, Steve encourages children in playrooms to express themselves freely. Steve helps create a nurturing space, where children feel seen and valued.

When one child first arrived at Playspace, he clung tightly to toys from home, reluctant to join in. Rather than enforcing rules, Steve respected his need for comfort and familiarity and showed up for the child each shift with patience and until one night, music sparked an interest for him. Steve guides children from frustration to peace and from isolation to connection. He ensures that each visit is not only good for the children, but is filled with laughter and learning.

Steve blends consistency, compassion and creativity to meet each child exactly where they are, and consistently provides moments of joy and inspiration to the children.

Bob Fiondella

Amy's Angels
Weatogue, Conn.

Bob Fiondella, Chairman and Founder of Amy's Angels, created the organization in 2014 after his cousin, Amy, passed away from breast cancer. Inspired by her struggle, he built a volunteer-driven nonprofit to help individuals facing serious illness focus on healing instead of financial stress.

Through his leadership and tireless fundraising efforts, alongside his wife Michele and many volunteers, Amy's Angels has provided $2.8 million in aid, and supported more than 1,100 families. Bob's compassion and dedication continue to drive the organization's growth and impact.

Bob not only leads the organization but also chairs the Grants and Development Committees and oversees monthly board meetings. Bob personally meets with families, volunteers, and a wide range of professionals, including doctors, dentists, contractors and social workers, to coordinate essential services.

He actively recruits volunteers and inspires others to join the mission, often securing donated services like wheelchair ramp construction or critical dental care before surgery. Bob dedicates countless hours each day to ensuring that those facing serious illness or hardship receive the help they need. His leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment make him a mentor, a role model and a deeply caring individual.

Leslie Credle

Justice 4 Housing
Boston, Mass.

In 2019, Leslie Credle founded Justice 4 Housing, a grassroots organization committed to ending housing discrimination and homelessness for individuals impacted by incarceration, and individuals criminalized for being victims of domestic violence. J4H uses policy to create systemic change, advocacy to lift up the voices of J4H constituents to educate those who oppose us and don't understand us, and direct service to provide the critical resource of housing to create a pathway to stabilization, generational wealth and equity.

Leslie is a passionate advocate and volunteer dedicated to racial equity and housing justice, especially for individuals impacted by incarceration. A Northeastern University alumna and recipient of prestigious fellowships from Echoing Green (2022) and the Social Innovator Forum (2023), Leslie draws on her own experience as a survivor of incarceration to drive systemic change.

As the Founder and Executive Director of Justice 4 Housing, she leads efforts to dismantle discriminatory housing policies and promote long-term stability for justice-involved individuals. Her volunteer work spans mentorship, public speaking, training, and direct advocacy, often collaborating with grassroots organizations, universities, and policymakers.

Leslie is a powerful voice in national conversations on reentry and housing equity, frequently speaking at conferences, panels, and academic settings. Her tireless commitment and lived expertise make her a transformative force in the movement for social justice and housing reform.

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