HOLDEN — Standing on the field at Gillette Stadium earlier this month was a dream come true for Project 351 alumna Gabriela Hamburger Medailleu, who is about halfway through her stint as a New England Patriots Foundation Game Day Intern.
The Wachusett Regional High School senior and class of 2019 Project 351 ambassador led the toy drive that took place during the Dec. 1 football game, which was a collaboration of the nonprofit organization, the foundation, and WBZ. Her fellow intern Faleehah Dam of Foxborough joined her on the field, and many other current and past Project 351 ambassadors and leaders were in attendance.
“It’s been absolutely incredible, and I still feel so lucky every single time I go into work,” Gabriela said of what the intern honor means to her. “I’ve met so many amazing people and done so many amazing things, and I know for sure that what I’m doing is making a huge impact on all of Massachusetts. It’s one of the absolute best feelings in the world.”
The lifelong town resident learned she had been selected as an intern while on a Zoom call with Project 351 Founder and Executive Director Carolyn Casey and others.
“She told me to stay on a little longer and said ‘Congratulations! We couldn’t imagine anyone better to honor our partnership with the Patriots Foundation,”’ Gabriella recalled. “I was so in shock I think I just said thank you over and over until the call ended, then just sat in shock for a minute before calling my mom. I couldn’t believe I had been given such an amazing opportunity, and I think that was the first moment I really realized just how much my membership in Project 351 was changing my life.”
Named for the number of cities and towns in the state, Project 351 was started in 2011 under Gov. Deval Patrick as a one-day celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., statewide unity and youth leadership. One year later, Patrick convened the second class of ambassadors to celebrate Dr. King and kick off a 12-month leadership journey, and the project has continued since.
Project 351 unites eighth-grade ambassadors, one from every city and town in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who participate in a year of leadership development, enrichment, and impact through service opportunities. The program’s motto is “Uniting Massachusetts through youth service and leadership.” Program alumni have additional opportunities to serve their communities and beyond.
During her time as a Project 351 ambassador and now as an alumni and intern, Gabriela has helped to organize and run coat and toy drives, as well as assist with on-field activities at Gillette such as half-time charity football scrimmages and cancer support walks.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Donna Spigarolo and her team on silent auctions and mystery boxes that raise money for charity projects within our organization, and have had the opportunity to learn more about Robert Kraft’s antisemitism project that affects media nationwide,” Gabriela said. She went on to say that being a part of Project 351 since being selected as an ambassador in eight grade has been an incredible experience and that “ever since, I have had so many opportunities and met so many influential and amazing people that have altered not only my life but my core values and beliefs.”
“I’ve worked with the Celtics team on the Playbook initiative that brings diversity, equity and inclusion training into schools, I’ve run major food drives that have benefited hundreds of families, I started my own nonprofit for victims of partner and sexual violence, and I have opened my eyes to so much of the world all because of Project 351,” Gabriela said. “I am applying to college now, and I can confidently say my major, my life goals, and my future are heavily influenced by my years within Project 351 and within the Patriots Foundation. I have said it a million times before and will continue to preach it: Project 351 has changed my life.”
