FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Defensive lineman Jarvis Green has been selected as the recipient of the 2006 New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award. Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft will present Green with the award this evening at the team's annual Kickoff Gala, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Fidelity Investments Clubhouse at Gillette Stadium. The award is named in honor of Ron Burton, the first player drafted by the team and known for his widespread charitable work throughout Eastern and Central Massachusetts.
"I am very proud to have an award that recognizes and rewards community service," said Kraft. "Philanthropy is very important to my family and we are proud of all the charitable contributions made by our players. Ron Burton was a Patriots pioneer who committed his life to giving back to his community. He set a great example for all others to follow and I am glad that so many of our players continue that tradition today."
Green, 27, has made an impact in both the New England and Louisiana communities in the five years since he was drafted by the Patriots in 2002. He has consistently ranked among the Patriots players who attend the most team-sponsored charitable events each season. In addition, the Louisiana native has committed his time to several Hurricane Katrina relief efforts both in Massachusetts and New Orleans. Last season, Green was part of a group of Patriots players who made a trip to Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod to take clothing to Hurricane Katrina evacuees that had been displaced to Massachusetts. He has also started a fund with his Louisiana-based family members that recognizes Louisiana natives who gave their assistance to Katrina victims in unheralded ways, such as taking in other families or children in the wake of the storm. This fund has also helped to host free breakfasts at local churches. Green hopes to provide ongoing support to New Orleans natives in coming years and will actively fundraise in support of the cause.
Green, who also contributes to the Boston community through personal appearances at local schools and hospitals, is the fourth Patriot to be selected as the Ron Burton Award winner, joining past honorees Joe Andruzzi (2003), Troy Brown (2004) and Matt Light (2005).
