Five high schools received grants of $50,000 from the Kraft family and the Patriots Foundation to help their football teams purchase new equipment. The donation recipients included Brighton High School in Brighton, Mass.; Central High School in Providence, R.I.; Cumberland High School in Cumberland, R.I.; English High School in Jamaica Plain, Mass., and Greater Lowell Technical High School in Tyngsborough, Mass.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - During their Super Bowl LIII championship run, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation hosted a raffle, giving fans an opportunity to win an exclusive trip for two to the big game in Atlanta. The Kraft family and the Patriots Foundation decided to use the funds from that raffle to make a significant impact on local communities. As part of their longstanding commitment to youth football, the Patriots Foundation decided to donate the funds to local high school football programs.
In late September, Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, made surprise phone calls to five high schools – Brighton High School in Brighton, Mass.; Central High School in Providence, R.I.; Cumberland High School in Cumberland, R.I.; English High School in Jamaica Plain, Mass., and Greater Lowell Technical High School in Tyngsborough, Mass.
During the phone calls, Kraft made the announcement that the Patriots Foundation was making a $250,000 donation – $50,000 to each of the five schools. The funds will help each school to purchase new equipment for their football programs.
"Since its inception, the Patriots Foundation has supported thousands of charitable causes all across the region, but we have always had a strong connection to youth football," said Andre Tippett, the Patriots executive director of community affairs. "We are committed to providing opportunities for New England youth to play the game, but we also want to make sure that players are safe."
Over the past week, Tippett made special visits to all five high schools. The Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer spoke with each of the five teams, informed the players about the donation and formally presented the checks.
"We are excited to be able to support these five football programs," said Tippett. "The grants will help to offset the costs of new equipment while ensuring that these programs continue to provide their players with an opportunity to play. We wish each school the best of luck this season and in the seasons to come."
