Mesko wins Ron Burton Community Service Award

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FOXBORO -- Zoltan Mesko is your winner of the 2012 Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award.
The third-year punter addressed reporters Monday night at Charitable Foundation's Kickoff Gala at Gillette Stadium.
"Mr. Kraft pulled me aside during practice and told me. It's just a very humbling experience to be a part of such a lot of guys that have been we have Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayoand the things they stand for. They're leaders in themselves. The Kraft family -- I can't thank them enough for putting forth that platform for us to be able to serve the community and to make a positive difference. Mr. Kraft, Myra Kraft -- exemplars in the community. I'm very, very humbled to be even a little grain of salt in the deal."
Kraft praised his player, saying the honor was well-deserved.
Zoltan is one of the best punters in the league, but he may be the leagues current MVP for his contributions in the community, said Kraft. In the 18 years since we established the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, perhaps no player has accomplished more in the community in such a short amount of time.
From the team's press release:
Last season, Mesko was one of the Patriots players who spearheaded the season-long Celebrate Volunteerism campaign, visiting Boys & Girls Clubs, hospitals, veterans homes, home makeover events and more to promote the benefits of volunteering. In October 2011, he joined several of his teammates in a one-day playground build for a Providence, R.I. community. Mesko also granted wishes for eleven youth from across the country who chose to meet Patriots players as part of the Make-A-Wish program.
During the holidays, Mekso was determined to make the season special for as many children possible by participating in every Patriots holiday activity. He helped children from homeless shelter programs select gifts during Patriots Gifts from the Gridiron and played games with more than 250 children from Massachusetts and Rhode Island during the Patriots Community Holiday Party. During the offseason, Mesko took it upon himself to organize a karaoke fundraiser, called Zolioke, where more than a dozen of his teammates sang karaoke, participated in live and silent auctions and interacted with pediatric patients to benefit Childrens Hospital Boston.
To Mesko, there's really nothing to it.
"I just feel like, the stage we're put on, we have this social responsibility to give back. Because when you look at it, there's a lot of good people out there that do a tremendous amount of things, but if I don't do it now, when am I going to start? If I don't do it, then who's going to do it? You've got to have that mentality, to be the first one to take action."

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