Hospital volunteer receives Myra Kraft Community MVP Award

Posted 6/25/14

Roderick Pascual of Warwick is a $5,000 third place winner of a Kraft family and New England Patriots Charitable Foundations Myra Kraft Community MVP Award. The awards place a spotlight on those who …

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Hospital volunteer receives Myra Kraft Community MVP Award

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Roderick Pascual of Warwick is a $5,000 third place winner of a Kraft family and New England Patriots Charitable Foundations Myra Kraft Community MVP Award. The awards place a spotlight on those who give their time to help others and exemplify leadership, dedication and a commitment to improving their communities through volunteerism.

Annually, the Kraft family and New England Patriots Charitable Foundation host the awards program as part of the ongoing Celebrate Volunteerism initiative in honor of Myra Kraft’s example of being a lifelong volunteer.

On June 9, 26 volunteers were recognized for their contributions at a luncheon and awards ceremony at Gillette Stadium. Each Community MVP received grants for their respective nonprofit organizations. Fifteen New England-based organizations were presented with $5,000 grants in honor of their volunteers’ work. Ten others received grants of $10,000 and one grand prize winner was presented $25,000.

“Every year, we ask New England nonprofit organizations to nominate one volunteer who they consider their MVP,” Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said in a statement. “This year, we received a record number of nominations from over 400 nonprofits. Their stories are heartwarming and inspirational and narrowing the field to 26 winners gets more difficult every year. As a lifelong volunteer herself, this was always Myra’s favorite event. I am so glad that her legacy continues to live through the great work of all the Myra Kraft Community MVPs.”

“I am honored that Myra Kraft would so generously award a person like me for simply paying it forward,” said Pascual. “Throughout my life, I have witnessed many wonderful people that volunteer for the sake of making another person’s life better. I decided many years ago that my greatest achievement would be to become one of those people and I am fortunate that Kent Hospital has made that possible for me.”

For the past 14 years, Roderick has volunteered in the health information services department. He has logged more than 11,000 hours at Kent Hospital and comes in each day with an optimistic can-do attitude and commitment that resonates with the patients, staff and other volunteers.

“Kent Hospital is thrilled that Rod has been selected as a 2014 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winner,” said Sandra Coletta, president and CEO of Kent Hospital. “Rod exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding volunteer. We are privileged that he is being recognized with this special award that celebrates Myra Kraft’s inspiring legacy of volunteerism.”

Rod faces developmental and physical challenges and ambulates using a wheelchair, but that has not diminished his spirit nor his desire and dedication to complete his duties accurately and efficiently.

The 2014 MVPs represent all six New England states, a variety of nonprofit organizations and range in ages from 13 to 93 years old. Nominations open each spring and for the most up-to-date information, visit www.patriots.com/community.

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