Patriots Foundation Presents $20,000 to Gilly’s House
Mar 29, 2021 08:26AM ● By Chuck Tashjian
From left, Maureen Cappuccino, Gilly’s House Administrator, David Gillmeister co-founder of Gilly’s House, Barbara Gillmeister, co-founder and Gilly’s House Executive Director, Chris Sachs, Gilly’s House Director, and Joshua Kraft, President of the New England Patriots Foundation.
Last month, the Patriots Foundation presented a check for $20,000 to Barbara Gillmeister of Wrentham for her volunteer efforts at Gilly’s House, a residential facility for young men in recovery.
In early February, the Kraft family and the Patriots Foundation hosted a virtual celebration, honoring their 2020 Patriots Difference Makers of the Week. Gillmeister and sixteen other individuals were recognized for their tireless volunteer efforts at nonprofit organizations all across New England.
During the celebration, Robert Kraft made the surprise announcement that Gillmeister would be receiving a $20,000 donation to support Gilly’s House. On March 3, Josh Kraft, president of the Patriots Foundation, toured Gilly’s House and presented a commemorative check to Gillmeister and her team. Kraft also brought dinner and gift bags for the 25 individuals who currently reside at the facility.
The donation will be used to replace the furnaces and hot water heater at Gilly’s House.
Ten years ago, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation introduced a season-long theme called Celebrate Volunteerism. The focus of the initiative was to recognize community volunteers and to promote the importance of volunteering.
The New England Patriots Foundation was created by Robert Kraft to support charitable and philanthropic agencies throughout New England. The Foundation's primary goal is to support programs that aid the youth and families of the New England region by assisting programs that foster cultural diversity, education, family and health. The Foundation has taken special interest in youth programs that encourage education, creativity and development of character.
In October of 2016, Steven “Gilly” Gillmeister lost his battle with addiction. Within six months of Steven’s passing, his parents – Barbara and David – purchased a residential home in Wrentham for young men in recovery. Gilly’s House provides 24-hour staffing that reinforces a lifestyle free of alcohol and drug use. The house offers transitional life skills including career exploration, healthy living, personal finance, self-help groups and social services. To learn more, visit www.gillyshouse.com.
For more information about the New England Patriots Foundation, visit www.patriots.com/community.
