North Attleboro Kids Get the Surprise of a Lifetime: Patriots QB Drake Maye Hosts Secret Shopping Spree
This past Tuesday evening turned into a night twenty lucky Club members will never forget—one packed with shock, cheers, and a whole lot of Nike sneakers. What began as an ordinary “field trip” quickly transformed into a dream moment when New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye stepped out as the group’s mystery guest, sending the kids into a frenzy inside the JCPenney at North Attleboro’s Emerald Square Mall.
Maye didn’t arrive alone. Joining him was his wife, Ann Michael Maye, who came prepared with a tray of homemade cookies she’d baked especially for the kids. And the surprises didn’t stop at dessert. Each Club member received $200 to spend on anything in the store, plus a brand-new pair of Nike sneakers, courtesy of Drake himself.
For these students—selected for being part of the Club’s fall flag football team and consistently showing positive behavior and excellent attendance—the moment felt surreal. They had boarded their ride believing this was just another after-school outing. Instead, as they walked through the doors and saw an NFL quarterback waiting for them with a smile, the reaction was nothing short of priceless: jaws dropped, hands covered faces, and cheers echoed through the store.
The excitement started even earlier, thanks to new Board President Bruce, who amped up the experience by arranging a full party bus so the kids could arrive “like VIPs,” as one parent described. The neon lights, booming music, and rolling energy built the anticipation long before the big reveal.
Once inside, the shopping frenzy began—kids crowding the shoe aisle, comparing outfits, sprinting between departments, and shouting over racks to show each other their finds. Drake and Ann Michael walked with them, helped pick styles, and posed for countless photos. One Club member proudly held up a Patriots hoodie and said, “I’m wearing this every single day.”
JCPenney staff joined in on the celebration too, cheering the kids on and helping them make the most of their budgets. Several employees said it was “the happiest shift” they’ve worked all year.
By the time the bags were packed and cookies were finished, the night had turned into a memory these kids will carry for the rest of their lives—one filled with generosity, joy, and the kind of magic that only happens when community and kindness collide.
To Bruce, to JCPenney, to the New England Patriots, and especially to Drake and Ann Michael Maye—thank you for giving these young athletes a night they’ll be talking about forever. ❤️🏈🍪
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