Kraft Family, Patriots Foundation and Gillette Present Ciro Valiente, First Literacy Board Member, With $10,000 Donation for First Literacy

Patriots Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett (far left) and Gillette’s VP of Communications & Community Affairs, Global Grooming, Kara Buckley, congratulate Ciro Valiente from First Literacy for being selected as a 2024 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winner. (photo courtesy of Eric J. Adler/New England Patriots)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – On Thursday, June 6, the Kraft Family and New England Patriots Foundation celebrated the 2024 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award Winners. They recognized 26 volunteers for their contributions to the New England community at an awards ceremony at Gillette Stadium. In total, $275,000 in donations were distributed to the nonprofits represented by each volunteer. Twenty-five organizations each received $10,000 and Ricky, Inc. received this year’s grand prize of $25,000.

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.

“Every year, nonprofit organizations across New England put forth candidates that demonstrate what volunteerism and giving back truly is and who represent the very best of our community,” said Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of the Patriots. “My late wife Myra, of blessed memory, was passionate about giving back and making a difference in people’s lives. I am proud to see her legacy of volunteerism upheld through these awards, celebrating those who selflessly serve their communities as true Community MVPs.”

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 President of the New England Patriots Foundation Josh Kraft; 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.

“This program is incredibly important to our family, it’s one of our favorites that we do each year,” said Josh Kraft, President of the New England Patriots Foundation. “It is our honor to read hundreds of stories about volunteers who are committed to making their community a better place. We are privileged to once again partner with our good friends at Gillette to recognize these outstanding volunteers.”

“These 26 volunteers and the nonprofit organizations they support are making a profound impact within our local community,” said Kara Buckley, Vice President of Communications & Community Affairs at Gillette. “We are grateful to the Kraft Family and New England Patriots for recognizing them with this meaningful award. As a brand, we have long championed the significance of inspiring role models, and these Myra Kraft Community MVPs exemplify the very best of the best.”

Ciro Valiente of Stoughton, Mass. was recognized as one of this year’s honorees and presented with a $10,000 donation for First Literacy.

Through free professional development workshops and scholarships for adults pursuing higher education, First Literacy helps adults in Massachusetts improve their literacy skills. Ciro arrived in the U.S. in 2015 from his home country of Venezuela, speaking no English. He learned English through classes in the Boston area, then took classes at Bunker Hill Community College thanks to a two-year scholarship awarded to him from First Literacy.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the Myra Kraft Community MVP Award. For me, this recognition goes beyond an individual achievement; it symbolizes the power of community and the impact of collective action,” said Ciro. “As an immigrant from Venezuela, I came to the United States seeking an opportunity to stay alive, even if it meant sacrificing being away from my family, friends, work, and the country that saw me born, grow up, and fight for it. But it was through the support of organizations like First Literacy that I found not only a path to a new life, language proficiency, and education, but also a sense of belonging and purpose in giving back to others.”

Jim Nolan, First Literacy Chairman of the Board (left), and First Literacy Executive Director, Terry Witherell (right), congratulate Ciro Valiente on being a recipient of the 2024 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award.

Ciro helps to raise awareness and funds that help provide other adult learners the opportunity to earn scholarships and participate in programming. He has contributed immensely to First Literacy, giving his time and talent. He joined the Board of Directors in 2017, inspiring others on the board to leverage their networks to help the more than 6,000 adults that benefit from First Literacy’s services each year.

“Volunteering with First Literacy has been a privilege and a responsibility that I hold dear to my heart,” said Ciro. “Every moment spent serving on the board, advocating for adult learners, and rallying support for literacy initiatives has reinforced my belief in the transformative power of education and the importance of empowering individuals to reach their full potential. I am grateful to the Kraft family and the Patriots Foundation for their recognition and support, and I pledge to continue my efforts to uplift and empower our community.”

The 2024 Myra Kraft Community MVP winners range from 14 to 85 years old and represent four of the six New England states. The selected nonprofits provide support for many causes, including education, food insecurity, grief support, healthcare, homelessness, mental health, violence prevention and more.

Since its inception, the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program has recognized more than 500 volunteers and donated more than $3.75 million to support nonprofit organizations across New England.

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 Award and for a full list of recipients, please visit www.patriots.com/community.