We are excited to share the wonderful news that Alan Simpson, a long-time volunteer and board member at The Children’s Room, has been honored by the New England Patriots with the prestigious 2024 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award. This award recognizes volunteers who have made significant contributions to their communities. Alan’s dedication to The Children’s Room has truly earned him this recognition.
On Thursday, June 6, the Kraft Family and the New England Patriots Foundation celebrated the 2024 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award Winners at an awards luncheon at Gillette Stadium. Alan Simpson of Woburn, Mass., was one of 26 volunteers honored. The Children’s Room received a $10,000 donation in recognition of his efforts. Alan was selected from over 300 nominations from across six New England states, highlighting the remarkable impact of his volunteerism.
As a young man, Alan experienced a terrible loss when his parents were killed in an accident after dropping him off at college. At just 18, Alan and his six siblings did not have the benefit of a program like The Children’s Room to help them through the grief process. Reflecting on this challenging time, Alan shared, “We never really quite knew how to deal with things.”
Many years later, Alan was introduced to The Children’s Room by a friend who volunteered there. After touring their warm and inviting Arlington house, he became hooked. In 2009, after completing an extensive volunteer facilitator training program, Alan began volunteering with the children in their Thursday night group. Whether playing in their high-energy room, at the foosball table or engaging in a card game of Uno, Alan would listen and be there for the kids. He spent countless hours making grief creatures and mixed-up feelings bottles and talking and sharing in their art room, providing a safe and comfortable space for kids to share. In total, he volunteered with children for fifteen years.
In addition to his time with their families, Alan volunteered on their Board of Directors from 2011 through 2018, serving as Treasurer and continuing to serve on their Finance Committee today. The Children’s Room, housed in a historic Victorian home in Arlington since 2003, requires tremendous care and attention. Alan has been our volunteer handyman throughout his time, always here to lend a helping hand. No project is too big or small for him to tackle. You can find a project Alan tackled in every room of the house.
Alan expressed his gratitude during the awards luncheon, saying, “In light of the thousands of community volunteers who give their time, energy, and resources to support their causes, I’m humbled to receive this recognition. We all want to do our part to sustain the various causes that are so meaningful to us. At the same time, it sustains each of us personally to know we’re helping programs in need.”
