FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (September 10, 2012) – The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation will launch the 2012 Celebrate Volunteerism initiative at the Sept. 16 Patriots vs. Cardinals game. The Kraft family and the Foundation will highlight volunteerism by teaming with numerous nonprofits, educating fans about the need for volunteering, highlight deserving volunteers in the region and inspiring Patriots fans to become lifelong volunteers.
Each week throughout the season the Foundation will focus on different volunteer areas. The Sept. 16 home game will begin the celebration of education volunteerism, in cooperation with nonprofits including Jumpstart, National Association of Black Accountants, uAspire and United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley. The Foundation will host a book collection at the Sept. 16 home game, where fans are encouraged to donate new and gently used children's books at designated locations outside Gillette Stadium prior to the game. In addition, the Kraft family and the Foundation will host 10 education volunteers from the National Association of Black Accountants, including 2012 $10,000 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winner Avril Okeke, to participate in team introductions prior to the game.
Celebrate Volunteerism activities will also include player appearances as part of Patriots Community Tuesdays, and the announcement of the weekly "Patriots Difference Maker" award, which aims to recognize deserving volunteers on www.patriots.com/community and in Patriots Football Weekly. Fans are encouraged to nominate a "Patriots Difference Maker" beginning Sept. 16 at www.patriots.com/community.
"Volunteerism is at the heart of giving back and bettering our communities. This year, we will continue to honor and thank the many deserving volunteers in our region that are often not recognized for their valuable contributions," said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. "Through this initiative, we hope to inspire Patriots fans to make a difference and become lifelong volunteers."
The Celebrate Volunteerism campaign also encourages fans to personally go out into the community and make a difference by pledging volunteer hours. Beginning Sept. 16, Patriots fans can visit www.patriots.com/community, pledge volunteer hours and print an official Patriots Celebrate Volunteerism certificate. Fans are then encouraged to submit photos holding their Celebrate Volunteerism certificate while participating in their volunteer work to CharitableEvents@patriots.com.
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.
PATRIOTS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION CELEBRATE VOLUNTEERISM WEEKLY SCHEDULE:
Volunteerism Weekly Focus
September 9 Service Projects Volunteerism
September 16 Education Volunteerism
September 23 Public Service Volunteerism
September 30 Youth Sports Volunteerism
October 7 Healthcare Volunteerism
October 14 Environmental Volunteerism
October 21 Global Give Back Volunteerism
October 28 Arts Volunteerism
November 4 Military and Veteran Volunteerism
November 11 Violence, Drug Prevention, Bullying Awareness
November 18 Hunger Awareness Volunteerism
November 25 Mentoring Awareness Volunteerism
December 2 Exercise and Healthy Eating Volunteerism
December 9 Homelessness Awareness Volunteerism
December 16 Holiday Giving Awareness Volunteerism
December 23 Senior Advocate Volunteerism
December 30 Celebrate Volunteerism Celebration
ABOUT THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation is the nonprofit organization established by the Kraft family in 1994 to support charitable and philanthropic agencies throughout New England. This support comes in the form of direct grants and the donation of signed memorabilia to charitable causes, as well as from Patriots players who offer their support by appearing at charity functions throughout the year. In 2012, the Foundation will work to raise volunteerism awareness through the Celebrate Volunteerism initiative. For more information about the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, please visit www.patriots.com/community.
