Georgetown Volunteer Receives Kraft Community Award, $10,000 Grant

An awards ceremony at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 15 recognized 26 volunteers across New England through the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards, a program the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation began in 1998. Organizers distributed $275,000 to honorees’ nonprofits: 25 groups received $10,000 each and William’s Be Yourself Challenge was awarded the $25,000 grand prize.

Georgetown resident Karen Coppola was among the honorees and was awarded $10,000 to benefit It Takes A Herd Foundation Inc., which she founded. Her organization offers equine-assisted programs to rebuild connections between people living with dementia and their care partners and focuses on creating opportunities for social connection and mutual support. Coppola has volunteered for more than 50 years and said she has seen people find joy, regain confidence and form new connections; she added that volunteering means finding where you can help and choosing to show up.

Gillette served as presenting sponsor. Patriots executive Andre Tippett and Gillette vice president Kara Buckley were on hand to congratulate winners; Robert Kraft and Buckley also made remarks acknowledging the honorees.