SMILE Mass Awarded Myra Kraft Community MVP Award
Posted On: Tuesday, November 3, 2020
ROBERT KRAFT AND THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS FOUNDATION DONATE $275,000 IN THE NAMES OF 2020 MYRA KRAFT COMMUNITY MVP AWARD WINNERS
Twenty-six New Englanders were honored by the Kraft family during a virtual ceremony on Oct. 30.
Lotte Diomede of Sudbury, Mass. receives $10,000 donation for SMILE Mass.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Every year since 1998, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots have been celebrating those who give their time to help others. The program was originally known as the Community Quarterback Awards and were presented to those who exemplify leadership, dedication and a commitment to improving their communities through volunteerism.
In 2011, the awards were renamed in honor of the late Myra Kraft who committed her life to volunteering. As part of the New England Patriots Foundation’s ongoing Celebrate Volunteerism initiative, the Kraft family traditionally hosts a special ceremony at Gillette Stadium to celebrate the honorees.
On Friday, Oct. 30, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots hosted a virtual ceremony to celebrate 26 volunteers from all across New England. Twenty-five organizations received grants of $10,000 in honor of their outstanding volunteers and one grand prize winner received a surprise $25,000 donation.
Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, New England Patriots Foundation President Joshua Kraft and Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs Andre Tippett all participated in the virtual ceremony.
“This year has been incredibly challenging for so many families, but it has also been difficult for nonprofits,” said Robert Kraft. “They have been called upon to support more families than ever before but have been unable to host their traditional fundraising events. Volunteers are the lifeblood of these charitable organizations and they have stepped up in a big way during this unprecedented time. We were honored to be able to meet 26 of these local heroes – albeit virtually – and to be able to shine a spotlight on their volunteer efforts.”
Lotte Diomede of Sudbury, Mass. was recognized as a 2020 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winner. In honor of her dedication to volunteering, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation will make a $10,000 donation to her nonprofit, SMILE Mass.
Ten years ago, Lotte started the nonprofit to support families of children and adults with disabilities. Having a son with a disability, her initial goal was to donate a floating wheelchair to a local beach.
The organization has grown tremendously – donating more than 140 floating wheelchairs and building universal playgrounds across the state. She also opened a vacation home that has been specially designed to accommodate people of all abilities.
“Although it has been a challenging year, getting this nomination has reminded me why I get up every day, advocate, create programs and support our communities,” said Lotte. “It is all in an effort to make the world a better place to live for anyone with or without disabilities.
‘What we advocate for is so simple yet sometimes so hard to understand for the average family. I have come to the conclusion that you just don’t know until your world is touched,” Lotte continued. “You don’t have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful or perfect to make a difference in someone’s life. You simply have to care.”
The 2020 Myra Kraft Community MVP winners range from 14 to 97 years old and represent every New England state. The selected nonprofits provide support for many causes, including education, foster care, homelessness, mental health, mentoring, military support and youth development.
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, please visit www.patriots.com/community.
On Friday, Oct. 30, Robert Kraft, Josh Kraft and Andre Tippett participated in a virtual ceremony honoring the 2020 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winners. Twenty-six volunteers were recognized for their efforts at nonprofit organizations from all across New England.
–PATRIOTS–
