Second CVS Caremark All Kids Can™ Patriots Day “Scores a Touchdown” for Youth with Special Challenges and Patriots Alumni at Gillette Stadium

Consider it home field advantage. The CVS Caremark All Kids Can Patriots Day at Gillette Stadium teamed up more than 20 local youth with special challenges with three big-league New England Patriots Alumni for a special day on the field at Gillette Stadium. The program is part of CVS Caremark’s signature philanthropic “All Kids Can” program and demonstrates the company’s commitment to helping children with disabilities learn, play and succeed in life.

In its second year, the program between CVS Caremark and the New England Patriots paired youth from The Bridge Center in Bridgewater, Mass., and students from Meeting Street in Providence, R.I., to enjoy a truly special day with Patriots Alumni, including former lineman Pete Brock, former cornerback Roland James and former linebacker and Patriots Hall of Famer Steve Nelson. The young athletes participating in the CVS Caremark All Kids Can Patriots Day range in age from 6 to 20 years old and have varying physical and/or developmental disabilities.

The CVS Caremark All Kids Can Patriots Day provided the young athletes an opportunity to launch their day in true Patriot style -- running through the Patriots inflatable helmet. In addition, they participated in warm-up and stretching exercises with the Patriots Alumni, experienced cone running drills, and received hands-on instruction on blocking, kicking and throwing skills. Participants also had a chance to secure autographs from, and take photographs with, the former Patriots players; enjoy lunch on the sidelines; take part in a visit to The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon; and receive a CVS Caremark All Kids Can duffle bag.

“It’s a thrill to continue our partnership with the New England Patriots -- a three-time Super Bowl champion -- on such an important initiative,” said Eileen Howard Dunn, senior vice president of Corporate Communications and Community Relations for CVS Caremark Corporation. “The creation of the CVS Caremark All Kids Can Patriots Day was a joint endeavor and one that expands the offerings of physical and learning activities for New England children with disabilities while simultaneously providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience for them at Gillette Stadium.”

Jenn Harber, executive director of The Bridge Center, said, “CVS Caremark and the New England Patriots have clearly demonstrated their commitment to children with disabilities by offering this incredible experience to members of The Bridge Center. So many of the children we serve spend their entire day in school, in some form of physical therapy or in transit – there’s rarely time for them to simply play and enjoy themselves. The All Kids Can Patriots Day is an incredible opportunity for our kids to play on the same field as their heroes, enjoy the fresh air and most of all - have fun!”
 
“It is very important for our students with special needs to have the opportunity to participate in community events. The children and their families attending the CVS Caremark All Kids Can Patriots Day at Gillette Stadium are looking forward to participating in all the activities,” said Amanda McMullen, senior director of External Relations at Meeting Street. “CVS Caremark is a generous supporter of Meeting Street and this is one more example of how the All Kids Can program is enhancing the lives of children with special needs.”
 
About The Bridge Center
The Bridge Center is a non-profit therapeutic recreational facility located in Bridgewater, Mass. Each year, we serve more than 1,000 children and young adults and no child is ever turned away regardless of the nature or the severity of his or her disability. Activities include therapeutic horseback riding, school vacation and Saturday programs, teen programs, vocational training, after-school programs, family support groups and more. We also offer Camp Connect, a six-week summer program designed to meet the developmental, social, and behavioral needs of children with Asperger’s Syndrome and High Functioning Autism. If you would like to learn more, please call us at (508) 697-7557.

About Meeting Street
Meeting Street, based in South Providence, annually helps more than 3,000 children of all abilities through education, therapy and community outreach programs.  Children and families benefit from experts in The Bright Futures Early Learning Center, The Grace School, The Carter School, Meeting Street Early Intervention and the Meeting Street Outpatient Pediatric Services program.  For more information on Meeting Street, visit meetingstreet.org or call 401-533-9100.

About CVS Caremark All Kids Can
CVS Caremark All Kids Can™, a program of the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust and supported by CVS Caremark, is a 5-year, $25 million commitment to making life easier for children with disabilities.  Through this signature program, CVS Caremark and the Trust will support nonprofit organizations that provide innovative programs and services in local communities focused on helping children with disabilities learn, play and succeed in life.