Pats’ Faulk receives Ron Burton Community Service Award

FOXBOROUGH – Running back Kevin Faulk was recognized as the 2009 New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award winner this evening at the team’s annual Kickoff Gala. Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft presented Faulk with the award, which is named in honor of the late Ron Burton, the first player drafted by the team and a player who was known for his widespread charitable work.”For the past 10 years, Kevin Faulk has been one of our go-to guys, both on and off the field,” said Kraft. “He has been quick to volunteer for dozens of charitable events through our community relations department and is always the first player to arrive and the last to leave. For the past few years, he has been bringing his children to the community events he attends to teach the values he learned as a child, to help those who are in need. We are proud to present Kevin with the 2009 Ron Burton Award. He is a deserving honoree.”Faulk has been a long-time supporter of the United Way, both in New England and his home state of Louisiana. For the past three years, Faulk has hosted the Kevin Faulk Celebrity Softball Tournament, attended by dozens of his Patriots teammates, in order to raise money for the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and the United Way of Acadiana. Faulk was also heavily involved in efforts to support those affected by Hurricane Katrina by organizing clothing drives and visiting hurricane evacuees stationed in Massachusetts.In addition to his personal work with the United Way and Hurricane Katrina victims, Faulk is a consistent contributor to the team’s community outreach efforts in Boston and the surrounding areas. He annually attends the team’s Thanksgiving turkey basket giveaway at Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries, has volunteered for the annual Salvation Army holiday party and makes regular visits to local schools and Boys & Girls Clubs.Faulk is the seventh Patriots player to be selected as the Ron Burton Award winner, joining past honorees Joe Andruzzi (2003), Troy Brown (2004), Matt Light (2005), Jarvis Green (2006), Ty Warren (2007) and Larry Izzo (2008).