Patriots participate in 9/11 memorial event

For the second year in a row, the New England Patriots and CarMax teamed up to support military families by inviting local children of service members and their families to attend Patriots Training Camp on Thursday, July 25, 2019. CarMax associates built bikes for the children and the bikes were presented to the kids by Patriots players following practice.

Former Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski visited with John, an 11 year old boy with brain cancer at Albany Medical Center in New York. As a huge Patriots fan, John's wish was to meet Rob Gronkowski. His entire hospital room is Patriots themed and his most prized possession is his Gronk jersey.

The Patriots rookie class spent the day together in Boston on Thursday, bonding over lunch and visiting patients at Boston Children's Hospital.

More than 140 Patriots fans experienced a day in the life of a Patriots player at the 2019 Patriots Fantasy Camp presented by Zudy. The participants went toe-to-toe with the Patriots offense and defense on the Gillette Stadium field. They also received exclusive access to all of the Patriots training facilities and their coaching staff. All proceeds from this charitable event supported the efforts of the New England Patriots Foundation.

Recently retired Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski continued the great work he does off the field, getting his head shaved, and shaving the heads of others, during the 10th annual One Mission Buzz Off for Kids with Cancer event at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, June 2, 2019. This is the 9th year Gronkowski has participated in the charity event, which raises thousands of dollars each year to tackle pediatric cancer.

Presenting photos from the 20th annual Tom Brady’s Best Buddies football game at Harvard Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2019. Among the Patriots, past and present, who participated in the charity game were Julian Edelman, James White, Troy Brown, Dan Koppen, Marcus Cannon, Brian Hoyer, Joe Thuney, Ted Karras and Joe Cardona. The non-profit event raises money for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Patriots players Joe Cardona, Adam Butler and Ryan Izzo were among the hundreds of volunteers who joined Patriots season ticket members and the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund to plant 37,000 American flags on the Boston Common on Wednesday, May 22, 2019. The flag garden is a way to celebrate and honor all of the brave men and women for their service on Memorial Day weekend.

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, Patriots players spent time surprising local teachers. On May 7, Patriots players Stephen Anderson, Braxton Berrios, Rex Burkhead, Keion Crossen and James White made a special visit to the Igo Elementary School in Foxborough to thank teachers for their hard work. They also invited teachers to Gillette Stadium and presented them with gifts.

In partnership with AccesSportAmerica, Patriots players Lawrence Guy, Jonathan Jones, Ted Karras and Derek Rivers led a football skills clinic for 150 high school students with disabilities on May 8. The players volunteered alongside the Harvard football team and providing guidance and words of encouragement to the participants.

In honor of the NFL's 100th season, fans are encouraged to join their favorite teams and players in a Huddle for 100. The ultimate goal is to have one million fans donate 100 volunteer minutes. To help kick off this initiative, the Patriots Foundation hosted a Huddle for 100 event at Gillette Stadium during draft weekend. More than 200 season ticket members volunteered alongside current and former Patriots players to create birthday kits for children in hospitals. All of the kits were donated to the Confetti Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Rhode Island that has thrown more than 6,000 birthday parties for children in hospitals across the country. Brandon King, Christian Fauria and Dan Koppen joined the season ticket members and announced two of the Patriots 2019 draft picks.

In honor of National Autism Awareness Month, Patriots safety Duron Harmon helped lead 25 students from Crossroads School with autism spectrum disorders and related diagnoses during their trip to Boundless Adventures, an aerial adventure park in Berlin which combines high ropes courses with zip lining.

In June of 2018, the Patriots rookie class visited Boston Children’s Hospital. During their visit, the players worked with New Era and several patients to design two Patriots winter hats. Once the hats were completed, they were available for purchase at the Patriots Pro Shop. Part of the proceeds from the hat sales were earmarked for Boston Children’s Hospital. The hats were a big success and on April 23, Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett and Patriots cheerleaders presented a $5,000 donation to the hospital. The special guests also spent time with patients and families throughout the hospital.