How the New England Patriots Did Their Part for Military Families
By Ryan Callahan
Day three of the New England Patriots training camp at Gillette Stadium was a massive success, but not just for what happened on the field. It was what happened off the field that solidified these players as true heroes among military families. The day included exclusive player interactions, memorable photos, and the highlight: each child received a bike directly from Patriots players!
At the invitation of the New England Patriots Foundation, military kids and their parents watched a Patriots training camp session from a private tent located in the end zone. The tent featured free lunch, Gatorade, and all-you-can-eat ice cream. One participant had just returned from deployment the night before, making the event even more special.
It was also an unbelievable vantage point of practice where Matthew Judon capitalized on a pick-six and celebrated by clinging to the nearby field goalpost. While Judon and Patriots players were heroes on the field, after practice they used their real superpowers.
Out of the blue, Patriots players and Coach Jerod Mayo appeared, riding over on brand-new bikes. Each bike, valued at more than $150, was gifted to each of the 20 Blue Star kids who lined up on the sidelines, proudly holding signs with their names. According to the Blue Star Families’ 2023 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, 1 in 3 military-connected family respondents reported their financial situation as "we are just getting by" or "we are finding it difficult to get by.” For these families, the bikes symbolize much more than a gift — they represent the community's appreciation and unwavering support during challenging times. It’s a tangible reminder of gratitude and a small but meaningful token of the nation's appreciation for their service.
Anyone who has been a fan of the New England Patriots over the last 25 years knows the slogan, “Do Your Job.” This term, coined by Bill Belichick, helped earn the Patriots dynasty six Super Bowl wins. At Blue Star Families, we have a similar slogan — Do Your Part. Do Your Part is a call to action for Americans to do more to support military families. Luckily, for our Blue Star kids, The Patriots Foundation, players, coach, and Bank of America did their part to make military life a little more awesome for military families in New England.
Blue Star Families of New England is honored to be selected as Community Captain with the Patriots Foundation, thanks to the support from Bank of America. This charitable initiative was created to build deeper relationships with nonprofits and strengthen the impact on the populations they serve. Do Your Part is made possible by Craig Newmark and craig newmark philanthropies.