FOXBOROUGH – With the sun setting above Gillette Stadium, Hunter Henry hopped on a bike, and with Drake Maye and Antonio Gibson cheering him on, pedaled his way around the concourse.
Henry wasn’t getting extra exercise late Wednesday. He was being hands on at his charity event.
In honor of National Foster Care Month, United Healthcare and the star Patriots tight end surprised more than 50 children served by the Boston-based foster care agency Communities for People with brand new bikes, helmets and accessories.
Both Henry and Gibson got on bikes and rode with the kids in the stadium concourse while Maye assisted kids who were just learning how to ride.
“It’s a great organization that does great stuff for these kids,” Henry said of United Healthcare. “They’re able to put on these really cool events that are light, and fun that allow these kids to be kids.
“Sometimes I feel like that maybe they don’t get that opportunity every day. And, it’s just important. I have two small kids now, so to be able to put smiles on their faces is huge.”
Tight ends coach Thomas Brown, and John Streicher, the vice president of football operations and strategy, also took in the event, which was held at the Sports Illustrated Pavilion at Patriot Place.
Both Maye and Brown also joined their teammate to pose for pictures.
It meant a lot to Henry to have the Patriots support.
“It’s cool. It’s what it’s all about, getting everybody involved. It was kind of low-key, something small,” Henry said. “I just wanted to spend some time with these kids. And for them to take the time out of their day to do the same is huge. It’s an honor to me to have both those guys come, and the coaches. We also had some media staff here. For them to take the time out means a lot to me.”
Henry indicated he had been doing some bike-riding during the offseason, but nothing too strenuous.
As for why helping foster kids hit home for him, he said he didn’t have a personal connection, per se.
“We were just looking for ways to get involved. I did an event three years ago with Communities for People and really got impacted by the people in the organization, and the kids,” Henry said. “It meant a lot to me, and made a really big impact on me. I just wanted to continue to work with them.
“It really hurts my heart that some of these kids don’t have the same ability and stability that I have. It was tugging on me to try and do something.”
