Twenty-six New Englanders Honored at Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards

From The Kraft Group:

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — 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. Each year, the Kraft family and the 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 Thursday, June 2, 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.

“This event will always be one of my favorite community programs that we do,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “The story of each recipient and the cause they are supporting is so unique and inspiring. I know that, just like Myra, none of these winners were looking for any recognition but we are happy to shine some light on the great work they are doing in their communities. We are thrilled to offer our support to each of these 26 nonprofits in honor of their outstanding volunteers.”

On hand to congratulate the award winners were Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, New England Patriots Charitable Foundation President Joshua Kraft and Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs Andre Tippett.

Susan Zuker of Natick, Mass. was selected as one of this year’s $10,000 second prize winners.

Zuker lost her husband to lung cancer back in 2004. Shortly thereafter, she noticed a “Conquer Cancer” license plate in New Jersey. After learning there was no such plate in Massachusetts, she contacted her state representative and the Registry of Motor Vehicles to learn how to create a specialized plate.

Zuker designed a plate that supported all cancers and collected more than 1,500 preorders from Massachusetts drivers. In 2006, the plates were created and are now on more than 6,000 vehicles across the state.

"I have been blessed to see the best of people in the worst of times and that inspires me every day,” said Zuker. “Giving back so that even one person's cancer journey has been made a little bit easier makes my heart grow. I have found my voice and my passion by volunteering with my family and being part of The Conquer Cancer Coalition.”

Shortly after creating the nonprofit, Zuker teamed with the late Mayor Thomas Menino to build a Garden of Hope in Boston. The garden now contains more than 1,000 personalized bricks and plaques to serve as an inspiration to families facing cancer.

“Susan Zuker is our champion in the cancer community,” said The Conquer Cancer Coalition in a statement prior to the event. “She has made it her mission in life to help other people along the cancer journey. Susan listens to every story, from every person, with every tear and every hug. She is a survivor. She is our champion and our organization simply would not exist without her.”

“Myra Kraft was an inspiration to me because of her love of family and her involvement in so many community endeavors,” said Zuker. “She epitomizes what it means to make a difference. Her legacy will live on through all the lives she’s touched. It is no cliché to say that people like Mrs. Kraft make this world a better place. To have her name on this award is, for me, the biggest honor of all."

The 2016 MVPs represent all six New England states, a variety of nonprofit organizations and range in age from 17 to 93 years old. The Kraft family and New England Patriots Charitable Foundation received a record number of 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, please visit www.patriots.com.

Photo 1: Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft and Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett congratulate Susan Zuker from the Conquer Cancer Coalition for being selected as one of the 2016 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award second prize winners. During the June 2 luncheon, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation awarded $200,000 in grants to 26 New England nonprofits. The Conquer Cancer Coalition received a $10,000 grant in honor of Zuker’s volunteer efforts.

Photo 2: Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski smiled for a photo with all 26 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winners at Gillette Stadium. The 26 volunteer winners range from 17 to 93 years old, with at least one winner from every New England state. Winning nonprofits provide support for many causes, including education, domestic violence prevention, healthcare, homelessness, mentoring, military support and more.

Photos courtesy of The Kraft Group.