Kyle Van Noy
LINEBACKER
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Kyle Van Noy has been the most active Patriots player in the community over the past year. Last fall, he played an instrumental role in helping to start the Patriots Players Social Justice Fund and recruited his teammates to get involved. He played a leadership role in selecting the recipient organizations and presenting $400,000 in grants to local nonprofits. Kyle volunteered his time at local hospitals and helped to bring smiles to children and their families. He attended charity events for local nonprofits, including the Team IMPACT gala, and could always be found at his teammates' charity events, including the McCourty Twins Tackle Sickle Cell fundraiser and James White's Sweet Feet for Strikes fundraiser for Boston Medical Center. He is also an avid supporter of the Hockomock Area YMCA's Integration Initiative, a program designed to provide support and opportunities for children with special needs and their families. Kyle has made several visits to the YMCA over the past year and participated in their annual golf tournament. For his tireless commitment to the Integration Initiative, Kyle will be recognized at the YMCA's Legends Ball gala this November. In August, at the annual Patriots Premiere event, a red carpet gala to support the Patriots Foundation, Robert Kraft presents the Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award to one player that has gone above and beyond to give back to their communities. Kyle received this year's award for his commitment to the Patriots Foundation and for the work he's done with the Van Noy Valor Foundation.
Back in 2014, Kyle and his wife Marissa created the Van Noy Valor Foundation. Their inspiration to start their own foundation came from their love of helping adopted, foster and disadvantaged youth who are in need. Kyle was adopted as a baby and Marissa's father and younger brother were also adopted. The Van Noy Valor Foundation strives to provide opportunities to encourage personal valor in youth by giving them resources and tools to grow, which will teach the youth to armor themselves for success. The Van Noys host fundraising events throughout the year to provide programs and resources to homeless shelters and foster care organizations. During the holidays, the Van Noys donate hundreds of Christmas trees to families in need, along with decorations, winter clothing, grocery store gift cards and age-appropriate gifts. During its first year, the event supported 53 families, in honor of Kyle's number. This past year, they helped 253 families. He also hosts a backpack giveaway at the start of every school year to ensure that children in need have all of the supplies they need to succeed in school. Kyle and Marissa host annual fundraising events, including a celebrity server night, to help fund their events and programs, but have also donated tens of thousands of dollars of their own money to support foster families. Throughout the year, Kyle visits homeless shelters and foster homes to spend time with children who are going through a similar situation to what he went through as a child. He is able to relate to the children, offer them advice and serves as a support system. Kyle has invited foster families to attend Patriots home games and training camp as his special guests, and he has led a variety of group outings for foster families including bowling, zip lining and a private screening of the new Lion King movie. Kyle uses his platform to share his story, serving as an inspiration to youth while also stressing the importance of adoption. He has participated in a local television segment called "Wednesday's Child" and encourages people to build families through adoption. He is helping to shine a light on a cause that he feels is often overlooked while also ensuring that children in foster care have the tools they need to thrive.
Since arriving in New England via trade in 2016, Kyle has been one of the most active players in the community. He is always looking for ways to be involved with the Patriots Foundation. He has visited healthcare facilities around New England, helping to bring smiles and support to patients and their families. Kyle has also joined his teammates in advocating for educational and criminal justice reform in Massachusetts. During the holidays, he participates in the team's annual Thanksgiving in a basket event, helping to provide hundreds of meals to families in need. He also attends the annual Gifts from the Gridiron holiday shopping event, ensuring that children who are homeless or in foster care enjoy the holiday season. He is always looking for new ways to help support children and families across New England. He is always one of the first players to volunteer for an event and he actively encourages his teammates to get involved as well. Any time that one of his teammates is hosting a charity event, Kyle is one of the first ones to volunteer to attend and offer his support. He has a tremendous sense of humor and always knows how to put a smile on a teammates face. Kyle always remains positive and is committed to being a leader both on and off the field.
Kyle's wife Marissa is also an avid volunteer for the Patriots Foundation. As a member of the Patriots Women's Association, she participates in a variety of volunteer projects throughout the year. She has prepared and served meals to families in need, she has participated in donation drives and assisted with holiday events. Together, Kyle and Marissa are committed to making a positive impact on their local communities. Kyle missed the Patriots 2019 season opener to be with Marissa as she gave birth to their first child. As they build a family together, Kyle and Marissa have plans to adopt a child of their own. Adoption has shaped who they are as people and they want to be able to provide a home and a loving family for a child in foster care.
