Patriots Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett (far left) and Gillette’s VP of Communications & Community Affairs, Global Grooming, Kara Buckley congratulate Sue Zekas from Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice for being selected as a 2025 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winner. During the June 3 luncheon, the Kraft family, the Patriots Foundation and Gillette awarded $275,000 in grants to 26 New England nonprofits. Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice received a $10,000 grant in honor of Sue’s volunteer efforts. (photo courtesy of Eric J. Adler/New England Patriots)
Sue Zekas of Moretown, Vt. presented with $10,000 donation for Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice
Since 1998, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation have been recognizing volunteers for going above and beyond to give back to their communities through the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program. Formerly known as the Community Quarterback Awards, this volunteer recognition was renamed in 2011 in memory of Myra Kraft.
“This year, once again, we have seen an inspiring group of individuals put forward by nonprofits from across New England – people who demonstrate compassion, dedication, and the power of service,” said Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of the Patriots. “My late wife, Myra, of blessed memory, believed deeply in the importance of giving back and creating lasting change in the lives of others. It means so much to see our values reflected in these honorees, whose commitment to their communities exemplifies the Community MVP Awards.”
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 Patriots, College and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs Andre Tippett and Gillette’s VP of Communications & Community Affairs, Global Grooming, Kara Buckley.
“We are honored to help celebrate the 2025 Myra Kraft Community MVPs—individuals whose tireless service and compassion make our communities stronger every day,” said Kara Buckley, Vice President of Community Affairs at Gillette. “Their stories are a powerful reminder of the profound impact that acts of courage and generosity can have on those around us. At Gillette, we believe in celebrating those who bring out the best in others and we are proud to partner with the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation to recognize these remarkable volunteers who embody that ideal.”
Sue Zekas of Moretown, Vt. was recognized as one of this year’s honorees and presented with a $10,000 donation for Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice.
“I am honored and humbled to be selected for this award. I am also very grateful that the organization I am so passionate about has received this generous grant. So many wonderful volunteers give so very much to deserving organizations, that to be chosen for this award is an immense privilege,” said Sue. “Volunteering for hospice by visiting end-of-life patients, and in some cases families, is extremely rewarding. Hospice volunteers provide companionship and emotional support to patients during their last months and years of life in facilities or homes. They provide respite time for the caregivers and families of these patients or sometimes assist with errands. I carry a piece of all the patients and families I have seen over the years in my heart. They have all in some way touched my soul.”
Susan has spent over 360 hours as a hospice volunteer, including reading books to patients, walking with patients, playing games, providing relief to patients’ primary caregivers, and advocating on behalf of patients. She provides a safe space for patients in their final days to have dignity and human connection, regardless of circumstances. What makes Susan stand out is how she goes above and beyond to remove barriers between a dying person and their loved ones so that people can focus on the time they have left together.
The 2025 Myra Kraft Community MVP winners range from 21 to 94 years old and represent all six New England states. The selected nonprofits provide support for many causes, including education, animals, sports, food insecurity, grief support, healthcare, military, homelessness, mental health and more.
The Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation received close to 300 applications this year from nonprofit organizations looking to recognize their outstanding volunteers. Nominations open every February 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. 
Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs Andre Tippett and Procter & Gamble’s VP of Communications & Community Affairs, Global Grooming, Kara Buckley take a group photo with the 2025 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winners at Gillette Stadium. (photo courtesy of Eric J. Adler/New England Patriots)
Below is a complete list of the 2025 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award Winners:
Name Hometown Organization Organization Town
Katharine Bazinsky Newton, Mass. New England Hemophilia Association Dedham, Mass.
Richard Benoit Worcester , Mass. Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange Newton, Mass.
Reed Brockman Marblehead, Mass. The Engineering Center Education Trust Boston, Mass.
Barbara Costas Enfield, Conn. Enfield Food Shelf, Inc. Enfield, Conn.
Kristin Der Wellesley, Mass. AllPaths Family Building Concord, Mass.
Michael Downing Brockton, Mass. The BASE (The Baseball Inc.) Roxbury, Mass.
Marilyn Fitzgerald Andover, Mass. Merrimack Valley YMCA Lawrence, Mass.
Arthur Flanders Providence, R.I. Nora's Haven Providence, R.I.
Emery Gaudet Leominster, Mass. Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts Leominster, Mass.
Bruce Goody Needham, Mass. Circle of Hope, Inc. Needham, Mass.
Christine Hanko South Windsor, Conn. Dog Star Rescue Canton, Conn.
Maureen Keeley Portland, Maine The Center for Grieving Children Portland, Maine
Roger Lockwood Norwood, Mass. League School for Autism Walpole, Mass.
Keith Man West Concord, Mass. Communities for Restorative Justice Boston, Mass.
Michael Martel Brockton, Mass. The Charity Guild, Inc. Brockton, Mass.
Joseph Merry Vineyard Haven, Mass. Hope Strengthens Foundation Marblehead, Mass.
Victor Nussbaum Framingham, Mass. Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters Waltham, Mass.
Marisa Paraschak Naples, Maine New England Breast Cancer Alliance Naples, Maine
Leslie Radcliffe New Haven, Conn. Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven New Haven, Conn.
Cheryl Ramsay Topsham, Maine NAMI Maine Hallowell, Maine
Barry Star Winchester, Mass. Mass Teacher Resources Woburn, Mass.
Jayna Stevens Hooksett, N.H. Manchester Police Athletic League Manchester, N.H.
Paul Straughn Easton, Mass. Old Colony Hospice and Palliative Care West Bridgewater, Mass.
Izumi Vazquez Cambridge, Mass. The Family Van (Harvard Medical Center) Boston, Mass.
Jennifer Vertentes Warwick, R.I. The Hero Package Foundation Warwick, R.I.
Susan Zekas Moretown, Vt. Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice Barre, Vt.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – 6.4.2025