Gabriela Petruck, of Riverside, was recently honored at Gillette Stadium as one of 26 recipients of the 2026 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award, recognizing volunteers making a difference across New England.

A volunteer with Day One RI for more than a decade, Petruck received a $10,000 donation for the organization from the Kraft Family, Patriots Foundation and Gillette.

“I share this entirely with my incredible fellow advocates at Day One RI,” said Petruck. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the Myra Kraft Foundation. This generous grant goes directly toward ensuring no one in Rhode Island ever has to face trauma alone. Thank you for investing in healing our community.”

Petruck has been a Helpline Advocate with Day One since 2015. She typically volunteers one, six-hour shift every week, but her commitment goes far beyond that. She ensures that no survivor, regardless of age or circumstance, is left to navigate trauma alone. Additionally, she participates in agency events and community programs, always willing to represent Day One and support the mission in any way she can. Her long-term dedication and consistency have become a backbone of the Helpline program.

“People often talk about the work we do, but the truth is, the true courage belongs to the survivors,” she said. “It takes immense strength to take that first step out of a painful relationship or a traumatic situation. At Day One RI we simply honor that strength by offering a nonjudgmental helping hand, emotional support or assistance with mapping out a safety plan, aid with resources, and most importantly - offering the proverbial shoulder if needed.”

Since 1998, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation have been recognizing volunteers for going above and beyond to give back to their communities through the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program. In total, $275,000 in donations were distributed to the nonprofits represented by each of this year's 26 volunteers. Twenty-five organizations, including Day One, each received $10,000 and William's Be Yourself Challenge received this year's grand prize of $25,000.

Gillette, a longtime supporter of the New England Patriots and a cornerstone partner of the Patriots Foundation, served as the presenting sponsor for this year's program. On hand to congratulate the award winners were Patriots, college and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs Andre Tippett and Gillette's VP of Communications & Community Affairs, Global Grooming, Kara Buckley.

“We are honored to recognize this year's Myra Kraft Community MVPs, whose generosity, dedication, and leadership help create stronger, more connected communities,” said Kara Buckley, Vice President of Community Affairs at P&G Gillette. “Each honoree reflects the spirit of service that Myra Kraft championed and demonstrates how one person's actions can positively impact countless others. At Gillette, we are proud to support and celebrate those who bring out the best in people, and we thank the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation for continuing this meaningful tradition.”

The 2026 Myra Kraft Community MVP winners range in age from 17 to 93 years old and represent almost all the New England states. The selected nonprofits provide support for many causes, including sports, healthcare, hunger and nutrition, mentoring, social justice, human services, education, domestic violence, and more.

For more information on the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards, please visit www.patriots.com/community.