New England Patriots Name Walsh Middle School Student its 'Difference Maker of the Week'

Tim Gilbert, the name sake of Timothy’s Toy Box, is being honored for his volunteer work by the New England Patriots.

Gilbert, a Walsh Middle School student, was named the New England Patriots Difference Maker of the Week, for the week of Dec. 7, 2014.

Gilbert has been a volunteer for Timothy’s Toy Box since it was founded in 2007, by his mother Sharon.

Framingham Patch has featured the Gilberts several times. The mother and son were honored at the Salute To Framingham a couple of years ago.

Recently, Sharon and Tim were in the news, when thieves stole toys from their organization.

Each week during the season, the Kraft family and foundation recognizes one outstanding volunteer, as the “Patriots Difference Maker of the Week.”

Throughout the season, 15 volunteers will be named as a Patriots Difference Maker of the Week. Each will be recognized at Patriots Community events.

“Now at age 11, he does more than ever before. Tim helps collect and purchase new toys for local children in need for Christmas each year. Timothy’s Toy Box has 300 or more children on the list each year and Tim spends countless hours taping batteries to toys and labeling bags. He sorts and hand picks toys for the children. He is forever searching for toys that are on their wish lists and has even donated some of his own money that he has earned to buy them. He always has a smile on his face and is always ready and willing to help with whatever needs to be done,” wrote the New England Patriots on their website in honoring the Framingham resident.

“Tim has a huge heart and is a true inspiration to many in the community. Every Christmas morning when he is opening his own gifts he always stops to think about the children that he helped and says, “I hope they like what I picked for them and I hope that they are having a Merry Christmas!” The rewarding feeling he has on Christmas morning is what keeps Tim volunteering each year and he will continue to do this for years to come,” wrote the Patriots.

Gilbert was invited to the New England Patriots holiday party, where he will receive his award from the Kraft family. Gilbert is being recognized during the Patriots “Holiday giving” week.

And he was invited to be at Gillette Stadium to be honored at halftime at the Patriots Dec. 28 game.