Locals Awarded at Patriots Halftime Ceremony

The Patriots Charitable Foundation announced $90,000 in grants to 15 local nonprofits in honor of each Patriots Difference Maker named during the 2014 Celebrate Volunteerism initiative.

As stated on the New England Patriots website, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation (NEPCF) celebrated the ongoing Celebrate Volunteerism initiative in a special halftime ceremony at the Patriots’ regular season finale against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Dec. 28, at Gillette Stadium.

Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft announced grants of $5,000 to 14 nonprofits in the name of each of the “Patriots Difference Makers of the Week” selected throughout the season.

Each week throughout the season, the Foundation focused on different volunteer areas, including education, mentoring and military. As part of each week’s focus, the Foundation announced the “Patriots Difference Maker of the Week” award, which aimed to recognize one deserving volunteer in the corresponding weekly focus. Each recipient was recognized with an honorary medal and autographed football during a presentation with current and former Patriots players on Patriots Community Tuesdays. Each of the Patriots Difference Makers of the Week named throughout the season was a special guest of the Kraft family and recognized during Sunday’s halftime ceremony.

Jacob Vlahakis, of East Boston, was named a Patriots Difference Maker on October 19 for his sports work with Tenacity.

Aubre Carreon, of Boston, was awarded on November 30 for bullying, drug and violence prevention work with Playworks Massachusetts.

Kevin Watson, of Boston, was named the Patriots Difference Maker of the Year on December 14 for his homelessness awareness work with Pine Street Inn. He received a $20,000 grant for his nonprofit.

Photo courtesy of the New England Patriots.