Submitted by Samantha Merwin
(January 9, 2024) — Saige Merwin of Haddam has been selected as a 2023 New England Patriots Foundation “Difference Maker of the Week” for being committed to Elbowbumpkid, Inc. As part of this recognition, the Kraft family, the Patriots Foundation and Gillette will make a $5,000 donation to support the nonprofit.
Throughout the 2023 season, the Kraft family, the Foundation and Gillette recognized seventeen local volunteers with the “Patriots Difference Maker of the Week Award.” The honorees were celebrated for going above and beyond to support nonprofit organizations in our New England communities.
Saige was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes as a baby and has been helping others with the disease for many years. Now 16, Saige has talked to many newly-diagnosed kids through the years. Saige’s tireless advocacy for the insulin bill passed in Connecticut in 2020 has saved families thousands of dollars each year and inspired others to advocate to their elected officials.
Elbowbumpkid, Inc. is named after Saige, who was nicknamed the Elbowbumpkid years ago in the diabetes community due to elbow-bumping instead of handshaking. Saige’s continued presence and willingness to take time out of their busy teenage life to volunteer to help families is a gift.
“It’s great to be honored by the Patriots to help bring awareness to Type 1 diabetes,” said Saige. “I’ve been volunteering for most of my life to help kids with Type 1 diabetes to live life to the fullest and not be limited by this disease. To all my fellow teens out there, go make a difference, go volunteer. It feels great!”
Saige truly believes in the power of community and knows the importance of having peers who relate to the daily challenges associated with managing Type 1 Diabetes. Saige doesn’t hesitate to volunteer for events despite having an active teenage social life. This provides a resource for other T1D kids and caregivers to ask questions about how they navigate their T1D at school, in sports and at friends’ outings.
“The volunteers we are honoring today represent the very best of New England and we appreciate the positive impact they have made in each of their communities throughout the region,” said Chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group and the New England Patriots, Robert Kraft. “Celebrating volunteerism and giving back to the community have always been, and will always be, of the utmost importance to our family. We are proud that these volunteers and the good work they do will serve as excellent examples and inspiration for others to serve their own communities and to give back to our region.”
The Patriots Difference Maker of the Week Award is part of the foundation’s Celebrate Volunteerism initiative, designed to educate fans about the need for volunteering, highlight deserving volunteers from across the region, and inspire Patriots fans to become lifelong volunteers.
“We are thrilled to stand alongside the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation to honor this year’s exceptional Patriots Difference Makers,” said Kara Buckley, Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs at P&G Gillette. “This community has been home to Gillette for well over a century and it is undoubtedly stronger and brighter because these seventeen individuals have dedicated their lives to helping others. We thank them for their work and for serving as a true inspiration to those around them.”
This marks the 13th season that the Patriots Difference Maker of the Week Award has been presented to volunteers from across New England. Since its inception, more than 200 individuals have received this award and more than $990,000 has been donated to local nonprofit organizations.
To learn more about the program, visit www.patriots.com/community.
Field Photo courtesy of the New England Patriots/David Silverman
Saige Merwin photo by Douglas Merwin
