FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Patriot Place and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation teamed up on Tuesday, March 17, to treat local children to a surprise reading of "Let's Go, Patriots!" by Patriots coaches Brian Flores and Harold Nash.
"We are going to have a good time," Nash said prior to the reading. "We're not going to come in here and be quiet."
Said Flores: "Reading is very important and we are very happy to be here."
Nash, the team's head strength and conditioning coach, and Flores, the team's safeties coach, took turns reading Aimee Aryal's popular children's book and invoking cheers from the young audience whenever the phrase, "Let's go, Patriots," appeared.
When the book focused on the Patriots defense, Flores got excited.
"I coach defense, so this is our time!" Flores said. "I need everybody to chant, 'De-Fense' with me."
The crowd happily obliged.
After instructing the audience through stretches during "halftime," an animated Nash read the Patriots to victory, much to the delight of the crowd. Following the reading, Nash offered some thoughts on the book's message to children.
"I guess the biggest point of the book is how you go through a lot of challenges," Nash said. "You've got a lot of tough times; that's going to happen, but the tough people last the longest. To remain tough, you've got to have good friends and good family, like you have here today."
Nash and Flores surprised the group by providing each child with a copy of the book, "Let's Go, Patriots!," a 2014 Patriots team photo and a Patriots button, courtesy of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. Patriots mascot Pat Patriot and special guest Scooby Doo made surprise appearances after the reading and posed for photos with the children.
"You guys are a great audience," Nash said. "We thank you for your support – moms, dads, grandparents and kids. Keep supporting the Patriots and let's try to win another Super Bowl."
Nash, a native of New Orleans, La., just finished his fourth season as head strength and conditioning coach for the Patriots. His responsibilities include implementing the team's year-round conditioning program.
Flores, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., just finished his 11th season with the Patriots and his third coaching the team's safeties. Prior to joining the Patriots, Flores attended Boston College, where he was a three-year letterman and a two-year starter at linebacker.
Patriot Place offers the free weekly event for children and their parents. Storytime is held every Tuesday at Showcase Cinema de Lux at 11 a.m. and features a reading of a children's book, a short movie and a special appearance by a storybook character.
ABOUT THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation is the 501(c)(3) non-profit entity created by the Kraft family to support charitable and philanthropic agencies throughout New England. This support comes in the form of direct grants and the donation of signed memorabilia to a variety of charitable causes, and from Patriots players who offer their direct support by appearing at charity functions throughout the year. The Foundation's primary goal is to support programs that aid the youth and families of New England while underscoring the Kraft family's deep commitment to philanthropic activities in the community. Over the past 20 years, the Foundation has made millions of dollars in donations to thousands of non-profit organizations throughout New England and has partnered with numerous community groups, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, the United Way and a host of other New England charities. The Foundation actively supports non-profit groups focusing on health, education, youth fitness and community enrichment while also implementing its own programs in those areas of focus. The Foundation's Celebrate Volunteerism initiative aims to recognize deserving volunteers and inspire others to follow the Kraft family's example of becoming a life-long volunteer. For more information about "Celebrate Volunteerism," visit www.patriots.com/community.
ABOUT PATRIOT PLACE
Patriot Place is a shopping, dining and entertainment destination located adjacent to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Patriot Place features large and boutique retailers, 17 casual to high-end restaurants and other nightlife venues. Among the highlights of Patriot Place are New England's first Bass Pro Shops, a 14-screen Showcase Cinema de Lux, the 16,000-square-foot CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar, the award-winning Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon, the retro-style bowling alley Splitsville Luxury Lanes featuring live entertainment by Howl at the Moon and the four-star Renaissance Boston Patriot Place Hotel. For more information, visit www.patriot-place.com, follow Patriot Place on Twitter (twitter.com/patriotplace) or like Patriot Place on Facebook (facebook.com/patriotplace).
