MLS WORKS Blog
Congratulations to the Portland Timbers for being the recipient of the Marisa Colaiano Community Relations Department of the Year presented by MLS W.O.R.K.S. The Community Relations Department of the Year award was renamed in 2012 in honor of Marisa Colaiano, Colorado Rapids Community Relations Director, who exemplified what it means to give back through passion, dedication and selflessness to make a lasting impact in the community.
Check out this week's club highlights:
Sporting Kansas City teams up with Make-A-Wish
Portland Timbers Dribble Oregon
Loyd, Warshaw featured in Dallas Morning News column
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
Excitement around the 2013 MLS SuperDraft is building in Indianapolis and MLS W.O.R.K.S. took a few of the draftees to Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health today. Walker Zimmerman, Andrew Farrell and Eriq Zavaleta visited with patients and families at the hospital and signed MLS W.O.R.K.S. t-shirts and posed for photos. The visit was a great opportunity for these future MLS players to give back to the Indianapolis community prior to the MLS SuperDraft tomorrow.
Don't miss your chance to watch the SuperDraft live tomorrow on MLSsoccer.com, ESPN3, ESPNFC and YouTube to find out which MLS club these draftees will end up playing for.
For more information about MLS W.O.R.K.S. visit our website.
The clubs have had an incredibly busy week - a week that started off with Soccer Night in Newtown, an event that saw all MLS clubs coming together to support the community in Newtown. Read first-hand accounts from MLS players who attended the event and other impactful community stories in the highlights below.
Crew cap off 2012 with sucessful holiday outreach campaign
Union Ultras give over 400 kids a reason to smile
Capital Community News lauds D.C. United's Off the Pitch Work
Colorado's Wynne shows love of cats during visit to animal shelter
Seattle Sounders: Off to Tanzania
Stephen McCarthy changes number to honor Kirk Urso
Vancouver Whitecaps FC players attend Soccer Night in Newtown
Sounders FC players attend Newtown event
Marcus Tracy attends Soccer Night in Newtown
Participation in Newtown event a big blessing for Watson-Siriboe
NE Revolution Headline News: Newtown
Galaxy's Garcia honored to participate in Soccer Night in Newtown
FC Dallas hosts Cocktails and Cleats 2013
D.C. United Video: Soccer Night in Newtown
Crew's Finlay humbled by experience in Newtown
Crew Soccer Foundation Honors Linden Student-Athlete Tremayne Tittle
Toronto FC: Soccer Night in Newtown
Montreal players assist in Newtown
Dynamo players participate in Soccer Night in Newtown
As it happened: Soccer Night in Newtown
MLS Community helps healing for 1500 at Soccer Night in Newtown
Group photo of soccer stars in Newtown
Bobby Warshaw writes about Newtown
Cascio to join other MLS and US stars at Soccer Night in Newtown
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
MLS clubs finished the 2012 year with an impressive line up of community appearances and favorite community moments. This New Year, clubs are starting strong in the community. Take a look at some of the highlights:
The Crew focus on community outreach in Columbus
Houston Dynamo Plates to benefit Dynamo Charities
PwC US donates $27,750 to Ronald McDonald House Houston for 37 Dynamo home game goals
Dallas Morning News reader nominates Chris Seitz for Texan of the Year
Sounders FC's Josh Ford attends Newtown event
Watson-Siriboe participates in Soccer Night in Newtown
Whitecaps FC support Newtown event
Albright and Gaddis take part in Newtown initiative
Red Bulls join MLS at Soccer Night in Newtown
Zach Loyd and Bobby Warshaw participate in Soccer Night in Newtown
Crew supports soccer event in Newtown
New York Red Bulls remember 2012 moments giving back
Toronto FC make a special holiday appearance
Whitecaps FC share holiday traditions
San Jose's Tracy pays tribute to Newtown
United Soccer Club works with Soccer For Success
Top Moments for Colorado Rapids in the community
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
Happy Holidays from MLS and MLS W.O.R.K.S. - enjoy these charitable stories to get into the holiday spirit.
Columbus Crew selected as a finalist for prestigious Pillar Award for Community Service
Wondolowski donates to Street Soccer USA
Whitecaps FC volunteer with the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau
Portland Timbers Second Annual Dribble Oregon
D.C. United: Martha's Table Meals for Minds
San Jose Earthquakes: Wondolowski shows charitable spirit
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
MLS clubs continue to get in the holiday spirit and join forces with organizations giving back during the holiday season. Take a look at this week's highlights:
Colorado Rapids host Lift Up America
Portland Timbers Stand Together Snapshot November
Colorado staff gives back at annual KSE service day
Seattle Sounders visit Highland Park Elementary School
Seattle Sounders ring the bell for Salvation Army
D.C. United Salvation Army toy sorting
LA Galaxy Foundation and AEG partners with MLS W.O.R.K.S. to assist Carson youth
Union's Cruz to see off Army dad ahead of Afghanistan tour
Union teams up to feed for the holidays
D.C. United host holiday auction on Ebay
Whitecaps FC fly to the North Pole
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
December is upon us and the clubs are already getting into the holiday spirit. Check out this week's highlights from the community.
New England's Simms, Barnes build gingerbread houses for charity
BBVA Compass Stadium earns LEED Silver Certification
D.C. United supports Capital Area Food Bank
Colorado Rapids continue final Movember push for donations
Toronto FC supports You Can Play
Toronto FC helps Camp Trillium
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
November comes to an end today, which also means it's the end of another successful Movember campaign. MLS W.O.R.K.S. and MLS clubs have raised thousands of dollars to support men's cancer initiatives this month and we are thrilled with the support we have received from staff, clubs, players, supporters and partners. Check out this week's highlights:
Caps wrap up Movember effort
Rapids mustaches mark successful Movember effort
FC Dallas pays tribute to Bobby Rhine
Los Angeles sports teams host toy drive
LA Galaxy and MLS W.O.R.K.S. host MLS Cup service project at Boys & Girls Club of Carson
LA Galaxy unveil detailed support of Boys & Girls Club of Carson
Montreal's Brovsky empowering women and youth through peaceful action
United for D.C.: DC Central Kitchen meal preparation
Montreal Impact collects soccer balls for needy families
Sounders FC: Four days left for Movember
Crew Holiday Season Community Efforts
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
MLS W.O.R.K.S. and the LA Galaxy Foundation brought LA Galaxy mascot, Cozmo, along with the MLS Cup trophy to visit with patients at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Cozmo visited with patients in the activity center where they were working on arts and crafts and playing board games and video games. Patients were able to take photos with the MLS Cup trophy and hang out with Cozmo for the afternoon. Cozmo also stopped into a few rooms and gave all patients MLS Cup 2012 mini soccer balls and MLS Cup t-shirts, courtesy of MLS W.O.R.K.S. and the LA Galaxy Foundation.
View photos from the event here.
MLS W.O.R.K.S., the LA Galaxy Foundation and AEG partnered on a multifaceted improvement project for the Boys & Girls Club of Carson on behalf of MLS Cup 2012. AEG President & CEO Tim Leiweke, MLS Commissioner Don Garber, LA Galaxy Head Coach Bruce Arena, LA Galaxy VP Chris Klein and Galaxy captain Landon Donovan were on hand at the Boys & Girls Club of Carson to celebrate the start of a new partnership with the LA Galaxy and AEG - which includes a year-long sports program, a new LA Galaxy branded Sport Court and a donation of sports equipment - as well as to unveil a newly upgraded Learning Center. The Learning Center featured a mural by Code 4, new carpet, chairs, tables and bookshelves as well as new books, Panasonic TV and an Xbox 360 console, which was generously donated by Xbox.
Other LA Galaxy players in attendance were Edson Buddle, A.J. DeLaGarza, Todd Dunivant, Omar Gonzalez, Sean Franklin and Mike Magee who mingled with kids at the event and hosted a soccer clinic for the children of the Boys & Girls Club of Carson.
Check out more images from the event on the @MLSWORKS Twitter page.