You get more out of giving.
It's an important theme celebrated around the holidays, and is the spirit of the New England Patriots Foundation's annual "Gifts from the Gridiron" event every year.
"This is one of my favorite events," Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones said Tuesday at the Bass Pro Shops store in Patriot Place, hosting the party once again along with defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr.
"I've been doing this for a few years to help get the kids out here from various places. Many are in group homes or foster homes, so they get to come out and shop, get toys, hats, clothes, and gloves. They get gifts for themselves and they also get a special gift to give to someone else. Oftentimes, I think they enjoy giving the gift to someone else more than getting one themselves."
About 50 children from programs at local homeless shelters, ages 10 to 17, were invited to take part in a $400 shopping spree ahead of the holidays. The kids were served dinner upon arrival, and the event concluded with a gift wrapping session before everyone went their separate ways.
They were encouraged to purchase winter wear in addition to gifts for themselves and a loved one, and kids all had help from either a Patriots player, alumni, or cheerleader as their personal shopper.
"The guys came out today on their off day to give back with their time and I know the kids enjoyed it," Jones said. "You can see them running around with Patriots players, the cheerleaders came out, so it's been a great day."
About two dozen Patriots players came out to ensure every child had a memorable experience, including Drake Maye, Christian Gonzalez, Austin Hooper, DeMario Douglas, Brenden Schooler, Bryce Baringer, Michael Onwenu, Jacoby Brissett, Ben Brown, Cole Strange, Layden Robinson.
"The Patriots do a great job using their platform and bringing the players into that to serve kids in the community," said Wise Jr. – also the Patriots' Walter Peyton Man of the Year award nominee Wise Jr.
"These kids here, they maybe feel left out or forgotten during the holidays, and this is something we create to help them feel community and feel special so they too can share that joy on Christmas day."
The New England Patriots Foundation hosted "Gifts from the Gridiron," a holiday shopping spree at Bass Pro Shops at Patriot Place for 50 children from local homeless shelter programs on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. Each child received a $400 gift card, compliments of the Patriots Foundation, Deatrich Wise, Jonathan Jones, Dellbrook, and Bass Pro Shops, and were accompanied with a personal shopper.
Christian Gonzalez
Ben Brown
Jonathan Jones
Drake Maye
Truman Jones
Layden Robinson
Deatrich Wise
Jacoby Brissett
Layden Robinson
Drake Maye
Titus Leo
Deatrich Wise
Drake Maye & Patriots Cheerleaders
Marte Mapu
DeMario Douglas
Drake Maye
Ben Brown
Mike Onwenu
Drake Maye
Eric Johnson II
Jacoby Brissett
Austin Hooper
Tyrese Robinson
Christian Gonzalez
Austin Hooper
Brenden Schooler
DeMario Douglas
Drake Maye
Tyrese Robinson
Bryce Baringer
Christian Gonzalez
Caedan Wallace
Jacoby Brissett
Andrew Parker Jr.
DeMario Douglas
Jonathan Jones
Brenden Schooler
Drake Maye
Christian Gonzalez
DeMario Douglas
