Twenty-six volunteers were recognized during an awards luncheon at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday, September 15. Susan Murphy of Rochester, NH, presented a $10,000 donation for Hope on Haven Hill

On Tuesday, September 15, the Kraft Family and New England Patriots Foundation celebrated the 2026 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award Winners. They recognized 26 volunteers for their contributions to the New England community at an awards ceremony at Gillette Stadium. In total, $275,000 in donations were distributed to the nonprofits represented by each volunteer. Twenty-five organizations each received $10,000, and William’s Be Yourself Challenge received this year’s grand prize of $25,000.

Since 1998, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation have been recognizing volunteers for going above and beyond to give back to their communities through the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program.

“Throughout New England, extraordinary individuals are strengthening their communities through selfless acts of service,” said Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of the Patriots. “My late wife, Myra, of blessed memory, believed that each of us has a responsibility to help others and leave our communities better than we found them. This year’s honorees embody that spirit through their compassion, generosity, and unwavering commitment to those they serve. We are proud to recognize them with the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards and celebrate the meaningful difference they make every day.”

Gillette, a longtime supporter of the New England Patriots and a cornerstone partner of the Patriots Foundation, served as the presenting sponsor for this year’s program. On hand to congratulate the award winners were Patriots, College and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs Andre Tippett and Gillette’s VP of Communications & Community Affairs, Global Grooming, Kara Buckley.

“We are honored to help celebrate the 2026 Myra Kraft Community MVPs—individuals whose tireless service and compassion make our communities stronger every day,” said Kara Buckley, Vice President of Community Affairs at Gillette. “Their stories are a powerful reminder of the profound impact that acts of courage and generosity can have on those around us.  At Gillette, we believe in celebrating those who bring out the best in others, and we are proud to partner with the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation to recognize these remarkable volunteers who embody that ideal.”

Susan Murphy of Rochester, NH was recognized as one of this year’s honorees and presented with a $10,000 donation for Hope on Haven Hill.

“I am an avid knitter, and before long, I began thinking about how knitting might help the women at Hope on Haven Hill,” Murphy explained. “What I discovered was that knitting was so much more than yarn and needles. It became a time to sit together, talk, laugh, listen, and sometimes simply be quiet… sometimes the simplest things can make the biggest difference.”

Murphy began volunteering with Hope on Haven Hill in 2016, shortly after the organization opened its doors to support pregnant and parenting women with substance abuse disorders and their children. A retired third-grade teacher with 38 years in the classroom, she started caring for babies and toddlers while their mothers attended programming, before going on to volunteer across nearly every part of the organization – cooking, gardening, and planning celebrations such as birthdays, baby showers, and recovery anniversaries.

Her greatest passion has been teaching women to knit. Over the past decade, Murphy has introduced hundreds of women in recovery to the craft through weekly knitting groups, creating a therapeutic outlet that reduces anxiety, builds confidence, and fosters connection – an impact that has rippled well beyond Hope on Haven Hill, as former residents have gone on to teach the skill to others in recovery.

Murphy’s commitment has never wavered, even through setbacks. During COVID-19, when volunteers couldn’t enter the facility, she kept women from feeling forgotten by baking cookies and dropping off knitting supplies at the door. As a retired teacher on a fixed income, she leaned on her network of friends and former colleagues to keep supplies flowing rather than letting the cost become a barrier.

Perhaps no moment captures her impact more than when a new resident recognized her – as her third-grade teacher from decades earlier. “Ms. Murphy,” the woman said through tears, “you were the best teacher I ever had.” From that day on, staff and residents alike simply called her Ms. Murphy, a name that has followed her ever since – full circle, from one classroom to hundreds of women’s lives.

Through more than nine years of quiet, steady service, Susan Murphy has shown hundreds of women and children that their community believes in them.

The 2026 Myra Kraft Community MVP winners range in age from 17 to 93 years old and represent almost all the New England states. The selected nonprofits provide support for many causes, including sports, healthcare, hunger and nutrition, mentoring, social justice, human services, education, domestic violence, and more.

Since its inception, the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program has recognized more than 550 volunteers and donated more than $4 million to support nonprofit organizations across New England.

The Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation received close to 150 applications this year from nonprofit organizations looking to recognize their outstanding volunteers. Nominations open every February, and the awards are open to all nonprofit organizations in the New England region.

For more information on the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards, please visit www.patriots.com/community.