New Bedford resident recognized by New England Patriots Charitable Foundation

The Kraft family and New England Patriots Charitable Foundation’s Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards place a spotlight on those who give their time to help others and exemplify leadership, dedication and a commitment to improving their communities through volunteerism. Annually, the Kraft family and New England Patriots Charitable Foundation host the awards program as part of the ongoing Celebrate Volunteerism initiative in honor of Myra Kraft’s example of being a lifelong volunteer.

On June 9, 26 volunteers were recognized for their contributions at a luncheon and awards ceremony at Gillette Stadium. Each Community MVP received grants for their respective nonprofit organizations. Fifteen New England based organizations were presented with $5,000 grants in honor of their volunteers’ work. Ten others received grants of $10,000 and one grand prize winner was presented $25,000.

“Every year, we ask New England nonprofit organizations to nominate one volunteer who they consider their MVPs,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “This year, we received a record number of nominations from over 400 nonprofits. Their stories are heartwarming and inspirational and narrowing the field to 26 winners gets more difficult every year. As a lifelong volunteer herself, this was always Myra’s favorite event. I am so glad that her legacy continues to live through the great work of all the Myra Kraft Community MVPs.”

On hand to congratulate the award winners was Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, New England Patriots Charitable Foundation President Joshua Kraft, Pro Football and Patriots Hall of Famer and Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs Andre Tippett, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo and Patriots alumni and three-time Super Bowl Champion Joe Andruzzi. Terry Wolkowicz of New Bedford, Mass. was one of fifteen $5,000 third place winners.

“The greatest honor that comes from this award is that the woman, Myra Kraft, for which it is named, truly exemplified the commitment to volunteerism in her tireless efforts to serve her community and individuals in need,” said Wolkowicz. “She continues to inspire me to stay strong in my commitment to both supporting connected learning across the arts and academics, and bringing music to the daily lives of the children in my community.”

On any given day during the school year, you can find Wolkowicz at a local school, working with students, partnering and supporting elementary classroom teachers or bringing musicians and world-renowned guest artists to perform for local schools. She has developed the SchoolsMusic! program that incorporates 50 schools while exploring the symmetry in art, geometry, music and nature. Under her direction, Wolkowicz has helped the program to grow and it now serves 30,000 local children each year.

“Terry has transformed what we have been able to do for our community,” added Dave Prentiss, President and CEO of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra. “Thousands of children now know how much fun music can be and are excited about learning because of Terry’s work.”

The 2014 MVPs represent all six New England states, a variety of nonprofit organizations and range in ages from 13 to 93 years old. Nominations open each spring and for the most up-to-date information, visit www.patriots.com/community.

Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo, Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett and Patriots alumni and three-time Super Bowl Champion Joe Andruzzi congratulated the Myra Kraft Community MVP Award $5,000 winner Terry Wolkowicz from the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra for her outstanding volunteerism. During the luncheon, the Kraft family through the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation awarded $200,000 in grants to 26 New England nonprofits.

Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, Patriots Charitable Foundation President Joshua Kraft, and Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett were joined by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and linebacker Jerod Mayo, and Patriots Alumni and 3-time Super Bowl Champion Joe Andruzzi to celebrate their award on the field of Gillette Stadium. The 26 volunteer winners range from 13 to 93 years old, with one winner from each state in the region. Winning nonprofits provide support for many causes, including military member support, education, victims of domestic violence, healthcare, and health and fitness to name a few.

Below is a complete list of the 2014 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award Winners (Name, Hometown Organization, Organization Town):

$25,000 Grand Prize Winner

• Max Wallack Natick, Mass. Puzzles to Remember Natick, Mass.

$10,000 Second Prize Winners

• Robbie Bergquist Norwell, Mass. Cell Phones for Soldiers Norwell, Mass.
• Saranne Brown Scarborough, Maine Play Among the Stars Theater Group Salem, N.H.
• Judith Chasin Brookline, Mass. Hospitality Homes Boston, Mass.
• Marie Duggan Roslindale, Mass. Technology for Autism Now Boston, Mass.
• Raymond Gannon Pawtucket, R.I. Pawtucket Soup Kitchen Pawtucket, R.I.
• Ray LeBlanc Hopkinton, Mass. East Coast Jumbos Hopkinton, Mass.
• William Lowenstein Auburn, Maine Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Serv. Auburn, Maine
• Michael Michaud West Hartford, Conn. The Miracle League of CT West Hartford, Conn.
• Kane Tobin Winooski, Vt. Boys & Girls Club of Burlington Burlington, Vt.
• Laura Williamson Wellesley, Mass. National Brain Tumor Society Newton, Mass.

$5,000 Third Prize Winners

• Curtis Amory Boxborough, Mass. Friendly House Shelter Worcester, Mass.
• Robert Beach Braintree, Mass. Golf for All Wellesley, Mass.
• Kathleen Cook North Andover, Mass. Family Services of the Merrimack Valley Lawrence, Mass.
• Marie Coyle Topsfield, Mass. Scleroderma Foundation New England Topsfield, Mass.
• Peter Deary Abington, Conn. Day Kimball Healthcare Putnam, Conn.
• Laura Dennison Framingham, Mass. Partners for Youth with Disabilities Boston, Mass.
• Dot Gonyea South Portland, Maine Camp Sunshine Casco, Maine
• Peter Grey Bedford, Mass. Bedford Community Table/Pantry Bedford, Mass.
• Hildy Grossman Brookline, Mass. Upstage Lung Cancer Brookline, Mass.
• Paul Katsiroubas Jamaica Plain, Mass. Volunteers of America Massachusetts Jamaica Plain, Mass.
• Pauline Nagle Olsen Farmington, Conn. Malta House of Care, Inc. Hartford, Conn.
• Roderick Pascual Warwick, R.I. Kent County Memorial Hospital Warwick, R.I.
• Ryan Patrick Newtown, Mass. Regional Hospice and Home Care Danbury, Conn.
• Lorraine Smith Roxbury, Mass. Nativity Preparatory School Jamaica Plain, Mass.
• Terry Wolkowicz New Bedford, Mass. New Bedford Symphony Orchestra New Bedford, Mass.