CVS Health, New England Patriots pay tribute to New England military veterans
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health and the New England Patriots teamed up to salute military veterans from across New England by hosting the third-annual CVS Health/New England Patriots Football Skills Camp for Veterans.
The camp, held in October, afforded veterans of all abilities the opportunity to work on football skills on the field at Gillette Stadium alongside former Patriots players. The camp was an extension of CVS Health’s overall commitment to supporting America’s military heroes and to individuals of all abilities.
The veterans who participated in the event included more than 30 men and women from Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as some of their family members.
The CVS Health/New England Patriots Football Skills Camp for Veterans kicked off in “New England Patriots style” with veterans from all branches of the military experiencing the thrill of taking the field through an entryway comprised of Patriots flags. It continued with veterans sharpening their football skills at blocking, throwing and kicking stations run by Patriots alumni Jon Williams and Garin Veris. The camp included opportunities to get autographs from and take pictures with the Patriots alumni, cheerleaders and mascot Pat Patriot. As part of the camp, the veterans were treated to lunch, as well as tickets for a visit to The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon — all courtesy of CVS Health.
“It’s always such an honor to host an event for these men and women who have served our country,” said Eileen Howard Boone, SVP of corporate social responsibility and philanthropy for CVS Health. “This is the third year in a row that we’ve partnered with the New England Patriots on this football skills camp, and we couldn’t be more pleased about the excitement the veterans display as they interact with the Patriots alumni and enjoy a dream day on the field at Gillette Stadium.”
David Casey, VP workforce strategies and chief diversity officer for CVS Health, added, “As a former U.S. Marine, I understand how much our military members and their families sacrifice, so I’m incredibly proud to be here today supporting these veterans as they enjoy such a unique experience at Gillette Stadium. This football skills camp is just one of the many ways CVS Health supports our nation’s military community. From recruiting, retaining and developing military veterans and service members for employment at CVS Health, to providing charitable support to military and veteran-focused organizations — CVS Health is committed to serving our nation’s heroes.”
CVS Health worked with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs New England Adaptive Sports program — a program of the VA Boston Healthcare System — to invite veterans of all abilities to participate in the camp.
Over the years, CVS Health has provided charitable support to military and veteran-focused organizations, including the National Guard, Fisher House, Operation Military Embrace, Wounded Warrior Project and the USO. The company also has worked with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes program to identify and hire veterans, has partnered with the Boston Red Sox for the last four years on baseball skills camps at Fenway Park for veterans of all abilities and with the nonprofit organization Golf For All on a series of golf clinics for veterans of all abilities. In addition, the company has established a colleague resource group — Valor — which is comprised of colleagues with a passion to serve those who have served our country.