CVS Caremark Teams Up with the Patriots to Hold Camp for Kids with Disabilities

The CVS Caremark All Kids Can Patriots Day held at Gillette Stadium last week gave kids from ages 5 to 17 a unique opportunity to learn and play with New England Patriot alumni during a fun day on the gridiron.

The event – part of ’s national philanthropic All Kids Can program which helps children with disabilities learn, play and succeed in life – paired former New England Patriots players with youths from Easter Seals Massachusetts and youths from other Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities for a day of activities. The participants hailed from Massachusetts towns including New Bedford, Worcester, Springfield, Hansen, Cambridge, Quincy, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Brockton, Methuen; and Cranston, R.I.

For the participating youths, this meant sharpening their football skills in the Dana Farber field house where the Patriots practice and receiving instruction directly from the players, including former fullback Patrick Pass, former tackle Max Lane and former running back Jon Williams. For the former New England Patriots players, the event was an opportunity to give back to the community and make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities. And for leaders of the CVS Caremark All Kids Can program, the All Kids Can Patriots Day was another opportunity to recognize that children come in all shapes, sizes and abilities, and to connect parents, experts and organizations to support children with disabilities.

“This is the fourth year that we’ve partnered with the New England Patriots on this great program to provide children of all abilities with the opportunity for physical activity and play,” said Eileen Howard Boone, senior vice president of corporate communications and community relations at CVS Caremark. “As soon as the kids took the field, you could see their enthusiasm and it peaked when the pros began to work their magic. It was so nice to see their smiles as they received the wonderful welcome from the Patriots alumni.  It was a great day for both the kids and their families and this event truly embodies the mission of our All Kids Can program.”

The CVS Caremark All Kids Can Patriots Day provided the participating youths with an opportunity to start their day in true Patriot style – running through the oversized Patriots inflatable helmet onto the gridiron amidst cheers from family and friends. In addition, they participated in warm-up and stretching exercises with the Patriots alumni, experienced cone-running drills, and received instruction on how to block, kick and throw. Participants also had a chance to secure autographs from and take photographs with the former Patriots players, spend time with New England Patriots cheerleaders and team mascot Pat Patriot, enjoy lunch on the sidelines and take part in a visit to The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon.

Kirk Joslin, president and CEO of Easter Seals Massachusetts, said, “We are so fortunate to be the recipients of a program like All Kids Can that creates opportunities for the children we serve to literally get off the sidelines and experience mainstream activities in a fun, engaging and educational way. The CVS Caremark All Kids Can program takes away many of the boundaries that face children with disabilities and opens up doors for them to unbelievable events like this. It is thrilling for our young people from Easter Seals Massachusetts to be playing football on the very field where the New England Patriots play and to be working directly with former players on enhancing their skills.”

In addition to teaming with the New England Patriots on the All Kids Can Patriots Day, CVS is joining the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation “Kicks for Community” campaign, which will run through the 2011 NFL regular season.  As part of the campaign, CVS/pharmacy will make a donation to the Foundation for every successful field goal by the New England Patriots during home games, totaling up to $25,000.  The outcome of the campaign will be celebrated at the Jan. 1, 2012 home game against the Buffalo Bills. A check presentation will follow the announcement of the non-profit organizations that will receive funding through the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation’s season-long “Celebrate Volunteerism” initiative.