Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft and Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett congratulate Dr. Raphael Landovitz from Los Angeles, Calif. for being selected as a 2021 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winner. During the August 11 luncheon, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation awarded $275,000 in grants to 26 New England nonprofits. Camp Ta-Kum-Ta in South Hero, Vt. received a $10,000 grant in honor of his volunteer efforts. (photo courtesy of Eric J. Adler/New England Patriots)
Twenty-six nonprofits were recognized during an awards luncheon at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, August 11
Vermont Business Magazine 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. Dr Raphael Landovitz received a $10,000 donation for Camp Ta-Kum-Ta in South Hero, Vermont.
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 hosts a special luncheon each year to show their appreciation for local volunteers.
On Wednesday, August 11, 26 volunteers were recognized for their contributions at an awards ceremony at Gillette Stadium. 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.
On hand to congratulate the award winners were 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.
“This marks the tenth year that this program has been named in memory of my sweetheart, Myra,” said Robert Kraft. “The past 18 months have been unlike anything we’ve experienced in our lifetime. During these challenging times, these 26 honorees stepped up to serve more children and families than ever before. We admire their selfless dedication and we know that Myra is smiling down on all of them.”
Dr. Raphael “Raphy” Landovitz of Los Angeles, CA, was recognized for his volunteer efforts.
For the past 26 years, Raphy has volunteered his time to help provide extraordinary camp and life experiences for children battling cancer. Over the years he has worn every hat imaginable, including cabin counselor, lifeguard, mentor and photographer.
As a medical doctor at UCLA – who specializes in infectious diseases – he has been a key part of their health and wellness advisory team. Raphy provides customized plans for campers and their families and helps them to navigate the healthcare system.
“Camp Ta-Kum-Ta has always been a parallel universe that plays itself out in one-week installments every summer - to get to cram a year's worth of living, loving, and laughing for our campers into one program is a tremendous privilege,” said Raphy. “I'm 100% sure that I get much more out of the week in terms of reminders of what really is important in life and to live every day to its fullest, never knowing what tomorrow may bring, is way more than I am ever able to give to our programs.”
Despite living in California, he always makes time for camp, including their week-long summer program. Raphy even took a red eye flight from California to attend the awards ceremony at Gillette Stadium.
“Camp Ta-Kum-Ta is thrilled that our friend and long-time volunteer Raphy has been chosen as a recipient of the Myra Kraft Community MVP Award,” Said Dennis DePaul, Executive Director of Camp Ta-Kum-Ta. “Raphy’s selfless commitment to our campers and families, all of whom have been impacted by childhood cancer, and insight as an infectious disease specialist have been invaluable during the COVID pandemic and throughout his 26 years of volunteering at camp. Raphy’s intention, energy, silliness and ability to connect with people have made him an essential part of the Camp Ta-Kum-Ta family. We are proud of him and are so thankful to the Patriots organization for acknowledging Raphy’s contributions to our mission.”
“It's an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Camp-Ta Kum-Ta organization and I'm tremendously humbled to have been selected for the Myra Kraft Community MVP Award,” said Raphy. “Our year-round camp programs are truly a massive team effort, and I am one small piece of a much larger whole that has to work tirelessly, to do what the organization does so well – provide unique, lasting, healing experiences for our campers and their families.”
The 2021 Myra Kraft Community MVP winners range from 21 to 92 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.
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.
Below is a complete list of the 2021 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award Winners:
$25,000 Grand Prize Winner
First and Last Name Hometown Organization Organization Town
Phyllis Ellis Brockton, Mass. Family and Community Resources Brockton, Mass.
$10,000 Award Winners
First and Last Name Hometown Organization Organization Town
Lisa Allen Providence, R.I. Fall River Deaconess Home Fall River, Mass.
Jennifer Blum Fairhaven, Mass. The Help SAVE Foundation Fairhaven, Mass.
Eugene Brune Wilmington, Mass. Somerville Historical Society Somerville, Mass.
Phyllis Clawson Harvard, Mass. Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Harvard, Mass.
Bruce Connolly Norwood, Mass. Norwood Food Pantry Norwood, Mass.
Angela Cote Walpole, Mass. Prison Yoga Project Walpole, Mass.
Jacqueline Dewey Cape Neddick, Maine Dress a Girl Around the World Cape Neddick, Maine
Friday Night Hype Cambridge, Mass. Equity Roadmap, Inc. Cambridge, Mass.
Rebecca Gladstone Dover, Mass. A Place to Turn Natick, Mass.
Louise & Dave Hackett Merrimack, N.H. Gateways Community Services Nashua, N.H.
Alison Hornung N. Kingstown, R.I. Glimmer of Hope Foundation N. Kingstown, R.I.
Cyndi Jones Lexington, Mass. Wildflower Lexington, Mass.
Zayra Juarez Attleboro, Mass. The Literacy Center Attleboro, Mass.
Amy Katz Westport, Conn. Pink Aid Westport, Conn.
Bob Keiser Madison, Conn. APK Charities Corporation Madison, Conn.
Polly Kornblith Sherborn, Mass. Horse SenseAbility Sherborn, Mass.
Chris Kuhni Milbridge, Maine Women for Healthy Rural Living Milbridge, Maine
Raphael Landovitz Los Angeles, Calif. Camp Ta-Kum-Ta South Hero, Vt.
Joseph Mark Castleton, Vt. Castleton Community Seniors Castleton, Vt.
Ed Mastriano E. Providence, R.I. MENTOR Rhode Island Warwick, R.I.
Angela Matthews Rollinsford, N.H. The Black Heritage Trail of NH Portsmouth, N.H.
Marvia Murrell W. Bridgewater, Mass. The DJ Henry Dream Fund Boston, Mass.
Arielle Perry Northampton, Mass. Girls on the Run of Western Mass. Northampton, Mass.
Nancy Quintin N. Attleboro, Mass. Rock Steady Boxing N. Attleboro, Mass.
Deb & John Snow Foxborough, Mass. LYNN Ministries, Inc. Foxborough, Mass.
Source: FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots 8.16.2021