Local Heroes Off to Gillette Stadium Ceremony Today

Regardless of the outcome of this afternoon’s awards ceremony at Gillette Stadium, today is a big day for Local Heroes.

Veteran’s Agent Lou Cimaglia will join members of his family on Wednesday afternoon at the home of the New England Patriots during the Myra Kraft Community MVP awards luncheon.

Cimaglia will represent Local Heroes after he was , given out in honor of the late wife of Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Ten winners will receive $2,500, another five will receive $10,000 and one grand prize winner will win $25,000.

“The success we have had is due in no small part to the generosity of this town,” said Cimaglia. “It’ll be cool to meet members of the Patriots organization, but truly we’re going there for Local Heroes. To be recognized by an organization where they do so much good for so many people, it’s pretty humbling.”

It was thanks to the effort of Cimaglia’s son, also named Lou, that Local Heroes will receive a check from the Patriots. Lou heard about the award, and immediately thought of his dad and applied.

The recent Westfield State University graduate said he’s learned a great deal through the years from his father’s efforts with Local Heroes.

“To know how much Local Heroes has meant to my family, and to see my dad’s dream come to fruition has meant a lot to me,” said Lou. “It was an overwhelming feeling to be selected knowing how many people applied. They’re all very worthy in their own right.” 

Recipients of the Community MVP awards are from across New England. There are winners from New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts.

Doors open for the invitation only ceremony at 1:30 p.m., and the program begins at 2:45 p.m. following lunch. Robert Kraft will be in attendance along with Patriot great Andre Tippett and possibly current players.

Be sure to check with Wilmington Patch on Facebook and Twitter this afternoon to find out how much Local Heroes wins. And visit Patch on Thursday for photos and video from the day at Gillette Stadium.

“It’s hard not to get your hopes high, but at the very least just being picked is humbling,” said Lou, who will be in attendance with his father at the ceremony. “The chance to meet members of the Patriots along with the recognition of Local Heroes, the day itself is going to be the reward.”