FOXBORO – In a hotel ballroom on Patriot Place, people are bidding on more than just sports memorabilia and luxury weekend getaways. They chose to give back to those who gave so much.
The Cole Strange Foundation, named for the New England Patriots guard, held its second annual Evening to Salute Veterans. The evening raised thousands of dollars for veterans services.
“My whole family has always had great respect for veterans,” Strange said. “Both of my grandfathers served, my best friend is an Army Ranger. I actually had plans to join the military myself if football didn’t work out. So I don’t know, if football did work out, this was kind of an I want giving back, because it’s not like I can really do that, but I would have to give up this other lifelong dream that I had.”
Helping New England Veterans
It doesn’t take long to learn that giving back is second nature to Strange. His foundation partners with other area nonprofits, such as Devens-based Clear Path for Veterans New England.
“To serve veterans throughout New England, we need support like the Cole Strange Foundation,” said Gary Soldato of Clear Path.
“It means a lot,” said Jay Stanfield of Clear Path. “I think as veterans, service is a big part of our identity and I think this shows me that the community is willing to give back to serve those who have served.”
Much of the work that ties the two organizations together focuses on veterans’ mental health and PTSD. It is often considered the invisible scar that so many veterans take home and too often struggle to find support.
Strange said he hoped to further expand his foundation’s role and services.
