SAN JOSE, Calif. – Major League Soccer today announced the finalists for the MLS WORKS Community MVP Contest presented by Wells Fargo. The Grand Prize winner, as voted by the fans, will be awarded a $10,000 donation for the charity of their choice and a trip to the 2014 AT&T MLS All-Star Game in Portland.
San Jose’s nominee is Lloyd Danon. Danon is a Board member of Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SSVCF), an all-volunteer, nonprofit Earthquakes fan organization, and is involved in all of the community & charitable activities SSVCF conducts. Specifically, Lloyd has been a one man operation running the SSV Kidzone. Lloyd plans & organizes Kidzone for every Earthquakes game, including all logistics, securing tickets from the Quakes to outreach and continued contact with various children's charities. If SSVCF falls short of money or tickets Lloyd donates them himself. A modest & selfless individual with two children of his own, he does this so less fortunate children can experience the joy and community shared by all at Earthquakes games.
Fan voting is open now through July 25 on the MLS WORKS web site: www.MLSsoccer.com/CommunityMVP.
Fans may also vote by tweeting: “I vote for the @MLSWORKS @WellsFargo (insert club handle) #CommunityMVP” from 9 p.m. PT on July 24 through 9 p.m. PT on July 25.
The Grand Prize winner will be announced on Friday, July 25 at 2 p.m. PT via twitter by @MLSWORKS.
“MLS WORKS is committed to supporting the communities that support our clubs,” said JoAnn Neale, MLS Chief Administrative Officer. “These nominees are using the world’s game to make a difference on a local level and we are proud to share their inspiring stories as well as recognize their incredible accomplishments.”
In addition to earning the chance to win the Grand Prize of $10,000 for the charity of their choice, Wells Fargo has pledged a $1,000 donation to each of the other 18 finalists’ charities.
“Wells Fargo recognizes the importance and impact of everyday community heroes, and we are proud to support and celebrate the 19 winners of the MLS WORKS Community MVP Award,” said Jamie Moldafsky, Wells Fargo Chief Marketing Officer. “When you think about a Community MVP, you think about someone that goes above and beyond to help better the world around them - whether large or small, these selfless efforts can make a huge difference in strengthening our communities.”
The following is a complete listing of the 19 finalists and the programs they represent.
CLICK HERE to read more about each finalist’s work in the community.
<strong>Club</strong> |
<strong>Finalist </strong> |
<strong>Program</strong> |
<p>Chicago Fire</p> |
<p>Chip Huber</p> |
<p>World Vision</p> |
<p>Chivas USA</p> |
<p>Sergio Gomez</p> |
<p>Union Independiente Futbol Club</p> |
<p>Colorado Rapids</p> |
<p>Martin Richardson</p> |
<p>Dawg Nation</p> |
<p>Columbus Crew</p> |
<p>Nick Wolak</p> |
<p>Columbus Youth Guild</p> |
<p>D.C. United</p> |
<p>Anthony Barnes</p> |
<p>Laurel Boys & Girls Club</p> |
<p>FC Dallas</p> |
<p>Andy Robinson</p> |
<p>Fifty-Eight Foundation</p> |
<p>Houston Dynamo</p> |
<p>Leslie Atkinson</p> |
<p>Dynamo Charities</p> |
<p>Sporting Kansas City</p> |
<p>Brandi Leggett</p> |
<p>Active Readers program</p> |
<p>LA Galaxy</p> |
<p>Robert Arcos</p> |
<p>Los Angeles Football Club Soccer Academy (LAFC)</p> |
<p>Montreal Impact</p> |
<p>Judy Yankowski</p> |
<p>The Montreal SPVM World Cup of Soccer</p> |
<p>New England Revolution</p> |
<p>Malinda Williams</p> |
<p>PASTA (Pro Athletic Soccer Training Academy)</p> |
<p>New York Red Bulls</p> |
<p>Elisabeth Cardiello</p> |
<p>Peter Cardiello Scholarship Fund</p> |
<p>Philadelphia Union</p> |
<p>Brent Jacquette</p> |
<p>Soccer for Success</p> |
<p>Portland Timbers</p> |
<p>Mark Hanken</p> |
<p>Special Olympics Oregon</p> |
<p>Real Salt Lake</p> |
<p>Tyler Stockstill</p> |
<p>Utah Development Academy (UDA)</p> |
<p>San Jose Earthquakes</p> |
<p>Lloyd Danon</p> |
<p>Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation</p> |
<p>Seattle Sounders FC</p> |
<p>Terry Kegel</p> |
<p>Right to Play</p> |
<p>Toronto FC</p> |
<p>Timothy Jansen</p> |
<p>Woodstock Soccer Club (W.S.C)</p> |
<p>Vancouver Whitecaps FC</p> |
<p>William Yoachim</p> |
<p>VI Coast Salish “Hope & Health”</p> |
About the MLS WORKS Community MVP Contest presented by Wells Fargo
Every year, MLS fans nominate outstanding individuals that promote goodwill, demonstrate leadership, and help to improve the lives of those living in their community. Of those candidates, 19 nominees are selected, one from each of the 19 clubs, as finalists to represent their MLS team in the MLS WORKS Community MVP Contest presented by Wells Fargo. The Grand Prize winner is determined by an online fan vote and is presented with a check during a recognition ceremony at halftime of the AT&T MLS All-Star Game.
Each nominee selected uses soccer as a tool to help make a positive impact in one or more of the following areas:
· Social issues focusing on acceptance, equality and inclusion
· Health issues affecting men, women or children
· Community service for a local, national or international charity or community organization
About MLS WORKS
MLS WORKS is Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative dedicated to addressing important social issues and serves as a platform for both League and club philanthropic programs. MLS WORKS seeks to establish Major League Soccer as a leader for improving the lives of people through sport. For more information visit the website at www.MLSsoccer.com/mlsworks or follow us on Twitter (@MLSWORKS).
About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.5 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 locations, 12,500 ATMs, and the internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With more than 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 29 on Fortune’s 2014 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo perspectives and stories are also available at blogs.wellsfargo.com and at wellsfargo.com/stories.
