Community Corner

Patriots Award Local Heroes With Grand Prize [VIDEO]

Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Robert Kraft were among New England Patriots who awarded Wilmington non-profit a check for $25,000 during Wednesday luncheon.

Lou Cimaglia would have been happy leaving as a third place winner during the . But meeting Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, being , and taking home $25,000 for Local Heroes wasn't a bad way to end the day either.

The Wilmington Veteran's Agent was awarded for his work as founder of on Wednesday as he topped 300 applicants and 15 other finalists in the annual award given out by the New England Patriots.

Joshua Kraft, son of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, read off the names of the other finalists one at at time.

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At first, 10 third place winners were recognized and given $2,500. Cimaglia's name wasn't called. Then one at a time, the second place winners were recognized and given $10,000 each. Once again, no sign of Cimaglia's name.

Finally, there were no other organizations left except the Wilmington non-profit's, and Cimaglia took the memorable trip up to the stage to shake the hands of punter Zoltan Mesko and Patriot great Andre Tippett before exchanging a high five with Robert Kraft.

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"We made Wilmington proud once again," said Cimaglia.


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