After practice Friday morning and before boarding the plane to Tennessee on Saturday morning for Sunday’s game against the Titans, New England Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy and his wife Marissa go to the movies.
It’s not exactly date night.
The Van Noys take 100 children from Wonderfund of Massachusetts to see “Instant Family”. The film, based on a true story, stars Mark Wahlberg, a Patriots fan, and Rose Byrne as a couple interested in adopting, who ends up adopting three siblings.
The Friday night outing is a joint venture between Wonderland Fund, a nonprofit organization that works with “children engaged with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families” and the Van Noy Valor Foundation which aims to “protect adopted, disadvantaged and foster children for success”.
“Anytime you can shine a light on something that isn’t talked about and have an evening where the kids are having fun and enjoying a free movie, that’s just a plus point,” Van Noy said Thursday. “They can’t worry about anything and are just enjoying their night.”
Kyle Van Noy was adopted. Marissa Van Noy’s father and younger brother have been adopted. Helping children from similar backgrounds is close to their hearts. They have hosted bowling and skating events in the past.
“I think it’s great. Anytime you can give back to others and show the real you, it’s always a good time,” Van Noy said. “It’s just the way I was raised. It’s the culture I grew up in to give back whenever you can and more blessings come. I’m happy to do it. I’ll do it. do by my kids. I hope that will reverberate. We’re just trying to make the world a better place. Let it be better than we found it. “