Aprill Lane Wins $5,000 for AGC Scholarship Foundation
The Kraft family and New England Patriots Charitable Foundation’s Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards place a spotlight on those who give their time to help others and exemplify leadership, dedication and a commitment to improving their communities through volunteerism. Each year, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation host the awards program as part of the ongoing Celebrate Volunteerism initiative in honor of Myra Kraft’s example of being a lifelong volunteer.
On June 9, 26 volunteers were recognized for their contributions at a luncheon and awards ceremony at Gillette Stadium. Each Community MVP received grants for their respective nonprofit organizations. Fifteen New England-based organizations were presented with $5,000 grants in honor of their volunteers’ work. Ten others received grants of $10,000 and one grand prize winner was presented $25,000.
“It is truly inspiring to hear the incredible stories of each Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winner,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “Every volunteer has such a unique story about how they got involved in their community and it is very touching to learn about their impact. These individuals are making a lasting impact on a daily basis and we are excited to have the opportunity to thank each of them for their commitment. This is truly one of my favorite programs and I know Myra would be proud of the work each of these volunteers are doing.”
On hand to congratulate the award winners was Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, New England Patriots Charitable Foundation President Joshua Kraft, Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs Andre Tippett, and Patriots players including linebacker Jerod Mayo, tackle Nate Solder and kicker Stephen Gostkowski.
Aprill Lane of Mansfield, Massachusetts was selected as a $5,000 third prize winner.
“This award is a testament to our motto, Hope Never Fails,” said Lane. “It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by an organization with such a strong commitment to giving back.”
After seeing a lack of resources for couples encountering infertility, Lane started a small advocacy and support group to talk about her experiences and share them with other couples. That group has blossomed into a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to couples experiencing infertility.
Lane’s selection as a 2015 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winner drew praise from the AGC Scholarship Foundation.
“For years, many women and couples have struggled in silence and perceived shame against the stigma of infertility. Aprill Lane has committed her time and heart to helping those who have suffered in the shadows of unwarranted embarrassment and heartbreak of not being able to conceive,” the AGC Scholarship Foundation said in a statement. “Aprill has worked tirelessly to bring awareness, support and advocacy to those suffering from infertility by drawing attention to the financial and emotional impact on couples and their families. The recognition of winning the prestigious Myra Kraft Community MVP Award and the generous financial grant will enable AGC to assist other couples struggling to have children.”
Lane recently wrote a blog entitled “Infertility Inferschmility” and had it published into a book with all proceeds to support the AGC Scholarships. As a result of her efforts and these scholarships, three couples now have children. Lane serves as a strong voice and a beacon of hope to these couples and just a couple of weeks ago, she gave birth to twins.
“Your struggles are not what define you, it’s what you do with those struggles that define you,” said Lane. “Thanks to the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards, those efforts to give back and make change are recognized. I am honored to be a part of that.”
The 2015 MVPs represent all six New England states, a variety of nonprofit organizations and range in age from 17 to 83 years old. The Kraft family and New England Patriots Charitable Foundation received a record number of 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 these awards, please visit www.patriots.com/community.
Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft and Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett congratulate Aprill Lane from the AGC Scholarship Foundation for being selected as a 2015 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award third prize winner. During the June 9 luncheon, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation awarded $200,000 in grants to 26 New England nonprofits. The AGC Scholarship Foundation received a $5,000 grant in honor of Lane’s volunteer efforts.
Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, Patriots Charitable Foundation President Joshua Kraft, and Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett were joined by Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo, kicker Stephen Gostkowski and tackle Nate Solder to celebrate their award on the field of Gillette Stadium. The 26 volunteer winners range from 17 to 83 years old, with one winner from each state in the region. Winning nonprofits provide support for many causes, including education, domestic violence resources, healthcare, homelessness, mentoring, military support and more.
Below is a complete list of the 2015 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award Winners:
$25,000 Grand Prize Winner
Susan Canning Westfield, Mass. KEVS Foundation South Hampton, Mass.
$10,000 Second Prize Winners
Claire Bloom Somersworth, N.H. End 68 Hours of Hunger Somersworth, N.H.
Holly Brown Whitman, Mass. Looking and Feeling FAB, Inc. Whitman, Mass.
Robbin Burns-Laubi Westport, Mass. Devin Laubi Foundation Westport, Mass.
Michele Dillon Framingham, Mass. Jeff’s Place Children’s Bereavement Center Framingham, Mass.
Chaskiesha Figueroa Lawrence, Mass. Beyond Soccer Lawrence, Mass.
Robert Glidden, Jr. Proctorsville, Vt. Proctorsville Fire Department Proctorsville, Vt.
Tracy Johnston Scituate, Mass. Scituate CORSE Foundation N. Scituate, Mass.
Charlie Lenore West Hartford, Conn. Hartford’s Camp Courant Hartford, Conn. Deirdre Carmody Millones Narragansett, R.I. Domestic Violence Resource Center Wakefield, R.I.
Alex Tomaszewski Wells, Maine Camp No Limits Wales, Maine
$5,000 Third Prize Winners
Nonie Bouthilette Florence, Mass. Sibling Connections Somerville, Mass.
Suzanne Carter East Dennis, Mass. Flower Angels USA West Dennis, Mass.
Ian Clemence-Schreiner N. Woodstock, N.H. New England Disabled Sports Lincoln, N.H.
Brad Cole Milford, Conn. K9 First Responders Milford, Conn.
Forrie Cotten Bangor, Maine The Shepherd’s Godparent Home Bangor, Maine
Hallie Fuchs Fairfield, Conn. Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center Bridgeport, Conn.
Aprill Lane Mansfield, Mass. AGC Scholarship Foundation Mansfield, Mass.
John Mauro Auburn, Mass. National Ataxia Foundation Auburn, Mass.
Macey Miller Newtonville, Mass. Greater Waltham Arc Waltham, Mass.
Rebecca Moniz East Greenwich, R.I. Realtor Foundation Rhode Island Warwick, R.I.
Corin Nava Warwick, R.I. Project Sweet Peas Warwick, R.I.
Rev. Dr. Robert Odierna Nashua, N.H. The Front Door Agency Nashua, N.H.
Dana Siegal Stoneham, Mass. Voices of Hope Stoneham, Mass.
Alyssa Silva Cumberland, R.I. Working on Walking Cumberland, R.I.