Photo: Mike Macklin/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Some New England Patriots players helped individuals experiencing homelessness prepare for the winter on Tuesday.
The New England Patriots Foundation partnered with the Empowerment Plan to bring 100 Empowerment sleeping bag coats to Pine Street Inn. Patriots players and staff loaded the coats into Pine Street Inn’s outreach van, as well as outreach kits with hygiene products and other essential items.
Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, whose family was homeless while he was in high school, was there.
“[We] can let people know that they’re not alone and I too have been in that situation and have reached the other side. Now I’m just reaching back, letting them know [by] blazing the trail, so this has been special,” said Bentley.
Bentley emphasized the importance of hope while trying to persevere.
“If anything, we got closer during those hard times. No matter how hard life gets, I know you’ll always see it through, so that’s something I live by to this day and that’s something that I always try to preach going forward,” said Bentley.
President of the New England Patriots Foundation Josh Kraft was also in attendance.
“My dad says winning off the field is just as important or more important than winning on the field and having the guys here partnering with an institution like Pine Street Inn is so important,” said Kraft.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Mike Macklin reports.
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