In June of 2017, 26 volunteers were recognized for their outstanding volunteer efforts. Fifteen volunteers were presented with a $5,000 grant for their nonprofit organization and ten volunteers received $10,000 grants for their respective nonprofits. Fabienne Eliacin of the Dorchester, Mass. was announced as the grand prize winner and received a $25,000 grant for the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative.
Below is a list of the 2017 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winners:
$25,000 GRAND PRIZE WINNER
| NAME | HOMETOWN | ORGANIZATION |
|---|---|---|
| Fabienne Eliacin | Dorchester, Mass. | Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative |
$10,000 SECOND PRIZE WINNERS
| NAME | HOMETOWN | ORGANIZATION |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Doo | Walpole, Mass. | Moyamoya Disease Research Foundation |
| Robert Faherty | Braintree, Mass. | Cops for Kids with Cancer |
| Jerry Ferrera | Framingham, Mass. | St. Francis House |
| Len & Cherylann Gengel | Worcester, Mass. | The Be Like Brit Foundation |
| Judy Giovangelo | West Roxbury, Mass. | Ben Speaks Louder Than Words |
| Tim Grover | Lowell, Mass. | Megan's House Foundation |
| Ryan Matthews | Plainville, Conn. | Susie's Foundation |
| Elizabeth McLellan | Portland, Maine | Partners for World Health |
| Barbara Smith | Acton, Mass. | Household Goods |
| Janet Ulwick-Sacca | Gloucester, Mass. | National Braille Foundation |
$5,000 THIRD PRIZE WINNERS
| NAME | HOMETOWN | ORGANIZATION |
|---|---|---|
| Lori Bateman & Kylee McCumber | Leominster, Mass. | Kylee's Kare Kits for Kidz |
| Maggie Bornstein | Amesbury, Mass. | Lucy's Love Bus |
| Steve Brosnihan | Bristol, R.I. | Rhode Island Hospital |
| Stephen Colella | Warwick, R.I. | Job Club Rhode Island |
| Frances Davis | Watertown, Mass. | Windrush Farms |
| Nicole DiPaolo | Randolph, Mass. | Paws4Survival Rescue |
| Louise Griffin | Hampton, N.H. | Zack's Team |
| Debbie Mearls | Brockton, Mass. | Soldier's Angels |
| Jana Planka | Narragansett, R.I. | Rhode Island Mentoring |
| Neil Rhein | Mansfield, Mass. | Keep Massachusetts Beautiful |
| Mike Sanphy | Westbrook, Maine | My Place Teen Center |
| Kenneth Thompson | Rutland, Vt. | Vermont Elks Charities |
| Laurie Tomaszewski | Nashua, N.H. | Lil' Iguana's Children's Safety Foundation |
| Kathy Wood | Canton, Conn. | Friends of Canton Football |
| Jack Zorski | East Falmouth, Mass. | Falmouth Volunteers in Public Schools |
