Retired Army Major Shannon Blake of Shelburne, founder and president of Warriors SOAR, an organization dedicated to ending veteran suicide, and Dawn Tatro of Johnson, founder and vice president of Jenna's Promise, a recovery community for the treatment of substance use disorder, were among 17 2023 Difference Makers honored by the New England Patriots Foundation, the Kraft family and Gillette during a ceremony prior to the Patriots' final game of the season Jan. 7 at Gillette Stadium.
The award included a $5,000 donation to each nonprofit plus a pair of tickets to the Jan. 7 game. Additionally, Blake was awarded $20,000 for being named Difference Maker of the Year during the ceremony.
“The volunteers we are honoring today represent the very best of New England, and we appreciate the positive impact they have made in each of their communities throughout the region,” said Robert Kraft, chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group and the New England Patriots.
Shannon, who suffered physical and psychological injuries while deployed in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, established Warriors SOAR (Support, Outreach, Assistance, Recovery) in 2017 to help wounded veterans reintegrate into society and heal from both physical and mental injuries. The program focuses on mentorship, outreach, camaraderie, and the opportunity to participate in a variety of indoor and outdoor sporting activities.
Tatro started Jenna's Promise after her daughter, Jenna Rae, died of an opioid overdose in 2019. She worked to build the organization entirely without compensation and despite also having another job. In addition, she and her husband, Greg, have contributed well over $1 million of their own money to the organization and helping people struggling with substance use disorders.