2 Brookline Residents Receive 2022 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award

BROOKLINE, MA — Two Brookline residents have been named 2022 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winners and received grants for the organizations they represent, according to the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation.

Ryan Najemy and Hank Shafran are two of 26 volunteers who were recognized during an awards luncheon at Gillette Stadium on June 8. Najemy was presented with a $10,000 donation for Jeff’s Place Children’s Bereavement Center, which offers support for grieving children, teens, families, and individuals, and Shafran received a $10,000 for The Boston House, a home away from home for children with cancer and their families.

Formerly known as the Community Quarterback Awards, the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program was renamed in 2011 in memory of Myra Kraft. For the past 25 years, the program has been recognizing volunteers for going above and beyond to give back to their communities.

“Of all the community initiatives we support through the Patriots Foundation, this was always Myra’s favorite and I am proud that we continue to honor her legacy of volunteerism by recognizing the amazing work of dozens of volunteers each year,” Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said in a statement. “She loved meeting all of the honorees and hearing their heartwarming stories of volunteerism. There are so many people doing great things in our communities. It restores all faith in humanity. We enjoyed reviewing this year’s applications and selecting the 26 dedicated individuals that are helping to make the world a better place.”

Gillette, a longtime supporter of the New England Patriots and a cornerstone partner of the Patriots Foundation, served as the presenting sponsor for this year’s program. On hand to congratulate the award winners were Robert Kraft, President of Kraft Family Philanthropies Josh Kraft, Patriots, College and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs Andre Tippett, and John Claughton, VP of Grooming North America at Procter & Gamble.

“I am extremely thankful to receive this award on behalf of Jeff's Place,” Najemy said in a statement. “I strongly believe in Jeff's Place mission to provide hope and healing in support of grieving families. My personal experience at this bereavement center has built my character and the basis of my qualities.”

Najemy, who enrolled as a client at Jeff’s Place as a child after his mother passed away, attends group sessions to share his stor, offer his support, and let children know they are not alone. He has also utilized his passion for basketball, cycling and virtual adventures to raise money for Jeff’s Place.

“It is very important to me that children receive the same opportunity to grieve and thrive in a supporting community, which led me to volunteer for this amazing non-profit organization, Najemy said. “I am very humbled to receive this award, as recognition for my volunteer work will only push me harder to create a positive impact amongst my community.”

Shafran, a four-time cancer survivor, has been volunteering at the Boston House for the past 42 years. During that time, he has worn every hat for the organization – auctioneer, board member, fundraiser, volunteer recruiter and weekend relief manager.

“Volunteering for The Boston House has been a labor of love and I cherish every moment of it,” he said in a statement. “I have come to understand that the things I do, which sometimes seem small to me, can have a major impact on those I am helping. Over the years, I have helped expand the House’s team by recruiting people through my professional network. These volunteers and donors have brought additional skills, expertise and funds to make the House even stronger.”

The 2022 Myra Kraft Community MVP winners range from 15 to 85 years old and represent every New England state. The selected nonprofits provide support for many causes, including education, domestic violence prevention, healthcare, homelessness, mentoring, and military support.

Since its inception, the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program has recognized more than 450 volunteers and donated more than $3 million to support nonprofit organizations across New England.

The Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation received more than 250 applications this year from nonprofit organizations looking to recognize their outstanding volunteers. Nominations open each spring and the awards are open to all nonprofit organizations in the New England region.

For more information on the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards, visit www.patriots.com/community.