Todd Zavorskas, NE Patriots 2022 Myra Kraft Community MVP

KRAFT FAMILY, PATRIOTS FOUNDATION AND GILLETTE DONATE $275,000 IN THE NAMES OF 2022 MYRA KRAFT COMMUNITY MVP AWARD WINNERS 

Twenty-six volunteers were recognized during an awards luncheon at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, June 8

Todd Zavorskas of Brooklyn, Conn. presented with $10,000 donation for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – For the past 25 years, 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. Formerly known as the Community Quarterback Awards, this volunteer recognition was renamed in 2011 in memory of Myra Kraft. 

On Wednesday, June 8, 26 volunteers were recognized for their contributions 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 the Grimes King Foundation for the Elderly received this year’s grand prize of $25,000. 

“Of all the community initiatives we support through the Patriots Foundation, this was always Myra’s favorite and I am proud that we continue to honor her legacy of volunteerism by recognizing the amazing work of dozens of volunteers each year,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “She loved meeting all of the honorees and hearing their heartwarming stories of volunteerism. There are so many people doing great things in our communities. It restores all faith in humanity. We enjoyed reviewing this year’s applications and selecting the 26 dedicated individuals that are helping to make the world a better place.”

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 Robert Kraft, President of Kraft Family Philanthropies Josh Kraft, Patriots, College and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs Andre Tippett and John Claughton, VP of Grooming, North America, Procter & Gamble. 

“This program has always been my family’s favorite charitable initiative,” said Josh Kraft. “Each year, we read hundreds of heartfelt stories of volunteerism and we are honored to celebrate those who go above and beyond to help others. We were excited to partner with our good friends at Gillette for this year’s program and appreciate their shared commitment to building stronger New England communities.”

“As a long-time witness of the great and positive impact the Kraft family has had on the New England community, Gillette could not be more proud to share in honoring Myra’s legacy as the presenting sponsor of the Myra Kraft MVP Awards,” said John Claughton. “Joined by the same drive to be a force for good for the communities we serve, Gillette looks forward to supporting all the honorees and volunteers that continue the work Myra so passionately championed.”

Todd Zavorskas of Brooklyn, Conn. was recognized as one of this year’s honorees and presented with a $10,000 donation for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

After the passing of his grandmother and his mentor’s son, Todd started volunteering for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As a teacher, he created a faculty vs. students basketball tournament to help raise money. In those twenty-two years, he raised over $125,000 to help eradicate blood cancers. In late 2013, Todd founded his upstart Zombie Leader, as a vehicle to fundraise for LLS & other charities.  Since then, Todd has fundraised an additional $138,700 for the cause.  Today, Todd, who no longer teaches, has found the fundraising aspect of cosplaying to be both fun and worthwhile. He is a staple in the New England Convention space and has been a constant presence for years. He seamlessly blends charity work with community building events and has a talent for making friends wherever he goes. Today, Todd continues his support by participating as a 2022 Greater CT Honorary Man of the Year Candidate for LLS. 

“As a lifelong New England Patriots fan and as an active fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), I am thrilled to be a 2022 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winner,” said Todd. “I am proud of my charitable endeavors of Team Zombie Leader and recently, I surpassed my lifetime goal of $250,000 raised for LLS over the past 27 years in honor of my grandmother, Anne Zavorskas. She passed away from Hodgkin’s disease many years ago. She was a constant for me, as I was growing up, the son of a now-retired United States Air Force lieutenant colonel. I know she is still with me and is smiling down on me today.”

The 2022 Myra Kraft Community MVP winners range from 15 to 85 years old and represent every New England state. The selected nonprofits provide support for many causes, including education, domestic violence prevention, healthcare, homelessness, mentoring and military support. 

Since its inception, the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program has recognized more than 450 volunteers and donated more than $3 million to support nonprofit organizations across New England. 

The Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation received more than 250 applications this year from nonprofit organizations looking to recognize their outstanding volunteers. Nominations open each spring 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. 

Pictured:  Procter & Gamble’s VP of Grooming, North America, John Claughton (far left), Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft and Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett congratulate Todd Zavorskas of Brooklyn, Conn. for being selected as a 2022 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winner. During the June 8 luncheon, the Kraft family, the Patriots Foundation and Gillette awarded $275,000 in grants to 26 New England nonprofits. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society received a $10,000 grant in honor of Todd’s volunteer efforts. (photo courtesy of Eric J. Adler/New England Patriots)