Mike Vrabel is part of the New England Patriots' storied past – and now, as head coach, he's shaping the team's future.

And though he's bringing his own style to the role, some traditions, like Wednesday's "Community Day," are too important to change.

"It's no sweat off our backs to follow Coach Vrabel up here with this community service initiative," said Brendan Schooler at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. K-9 school in Dorchester.

"So to come up here and spend time with the youth and be able to pour back into the community that gives back to us is awesome."

That is exactly the spirit of the day, as Patriots players and coaches split into six groups to volunteer across the Greater Boston area.

In addition to the King school, the Patriots were represented at the Martin Luther King, Jr. school in Cambridge, Chittick Elementary School, Crossroads Youth Organization, New England Center and Home for Veterans, and Pine Street Inn.

At the MLK School in Cambridge, players ran outdoor drills, read books, and participated in art and gym classes. At Crossroads, a summer day camp and year-round program for at-risk youth, the Patriots assisted with seasonal preparations like building picnic tables, setting up the dining hall, and general camp clean-up. Members of the Patriots at the NECHV, an organization that equips veterans who are facing or at-risk of homelessness with support for self-sufficiency, engaged in small group activities like crafting, games, and served breakfast.

Schooler's group at the King School group included coaches Vrabel and Doug Marrone as well as teammates Christian Barmore, Mack Hollins, Joshua Dobbs, and Marcus Jones. They spent the morning and early afternoon visiting with kids in their classrooms, at recess, and during their lunch hour.

Though it technically was a day off for players, they stayed active playing football, basketball, soccer, and more.

"It's fun being out with these kids because we were all in their shoes at one point," said Schooler, who was given the Patriots' prestigious Ron Burton Community Service Award before the 2024 season.

"I think it's important to have then see us out here in the community and that we're more than just football players. At the end of the day we're human beings just like everybody else so to show that side to us, I think it's important."

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