MLS WORKS Blog
On the field, Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy has come to the aid of his teammates more than once when they’ve struggled to defend opposing attacks.
Off the field, Kennedy is doing the same, coming to the aid of cancer-stricken children as one of seven MLS players who work as ambassadors for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“It’s an honor,” Kennedy tells MLSsoccer.com. “I remember growing up and looking up to professional athletes. Sometimes I don’t see myself like that, but I realize that kids respond to us. So I go to hospitals and see how bad things can be, and I marvel at how happy these kids still are when they’re fighting like hell. To give them a little bit of a distraction and a little bit of inspiration is an honor.”
For their work with the Memphis-based St. Jude, the seven MLSers — Kennedy; Chicago’s Logan Pause; San Jose’s Mehdi Ballouchy, Shea Salinas and Jason Hernandez; and New York’s Kenny Cooper and Rafa Márquez — have been named MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarians of the Month for September.
Article by Greg Lalas. Read more.
The MLS W.O.R.K.S. Weekly Club Highlights are in...
Union's River Cup coach praises attendees
Rapids to celebrate "Colorado Heroes Night" on September 5
Chivas USA Foundation will host 6th Annual Charity Golf Classic
United Builds beautifies DC public schools
Toronto FC visits Joseph J. Piccini Community Centre
Kids "invade" the pitch for annual KeyBank Little Timbers Fan Club Bash
KSE Charities hosting equipment drive in honor of Jessica Ghawi
D.C. United host Red Card Cancer poster night
Philadelphia Union River Cup recap
Toronto FC players support 3rd Annual Big Save
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
Our MLS clubs have gone above and beyond in the community this week running successful fundraisers and events, like the Chicago Fire's White Party. Toronto FC front office and players spent 12 straight days in the community giving back through their TFC/TWELVE campaign while the Portland Timbers completed building a soccer field at a local high-school. The Dynamo launched the 2012 Bald is Beautiful campaign and the Revolution will partner with Taylor Twellman on a fundraiser while the Rapids continue to give back to their fans. These are just a few of the highlights from this week. Check out all of the incredible stories from the community...
Toronto FC volunteers at Toronto Humane Society
Chicago's White Party raises $40,000 for Fire Foundation
Toronto FC players help Not Far From The Tree
Revs, Twellman team up for bartending fundraiser
Lucky day to be a Rapids fan at training
Rapids players make an impact on one aspiring youngster
Stand Together Parkrose High School Field Dedication
LA Galaxy's How Suite It Is! tickets on sale
Houston Dynamo, Dynamo Charities launch 2012 Bald is Beautiful campaign
Toronto FC and Team Up Foundation's KickStart Free Soccer Clinic
Philadelphia Union host blood drive with American Red Cross
Montreal Impact raise close to $20,000 for PROCURE
Toronto FC KickStart Your Community
Sporting KC Hosts Military Appreciation Night
San Jose Earthquakes XFINITY Clinic Series
Philadelphia Union River Cup Ramps Up
Red Bulls Support Reyna Run 2012
New York Red Bulls Visit Street Soccer USA tournament
Chicago Fire White Party Sold Out
Toronto FC Visit First Responders
Toronto FC Fighting for a Cure
Nixia SC visits Sporting Kansas City
Toronto FC and MLSE Team Up Foundation Massive Group Effort
Colorado Rapids: Fire Department defeat Police in Battle of the Badges
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
The MLS clubs have done an incredible job giving back to their communities this week. Please take some time to read through their community stories and show your support.
Whitecaps visit Camp Goodtimes
Sounders' Ochoa, Cato promote healthy, active lifestyle for area youth
San Jose Earthquakes Wine and Dine Event
Toronto FC's Quillan Roberts visits Youth Without Shelter
Galaxy players help out in the community
Sounders Help Support Disaster Relief
Philadelphia Union River Cup 2012
Toronto FC Salvation Army Provides
Colorado Rapids Battle of the Badges
Toronto FC An Exceptional Initiative
Chivas USA's Black Army Feed LA
Columbus Crew's Kirk Urso - Hero on and off the field
D.C. United free ticket if you bike to RFK
Toronto FC Spotlight on Good Deeds
Portland Timbers Corporate Cup kicks off Saturday
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
With the Olympics in full swing, the MLS clubs deserve a gold medal for their work in the community. Take a look at this week’s club highlights:
KL Cares and Kicks Extreme Summer Soccer Event only a couple days away
Davis honored to earn humanitarian award
Brad Davis named MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Month
L.A. Galaxy Players to go Back-to-School Shopping at Macy’s Culver City
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
It's been a busy week around the League but the MLS clubs have still found the time to make a difference in the community. Check out this week's club highlights:
100% High School Graduation for Montreal Academy Players
Stand Together: Providence Hospital Visit
Rapids, Snooze host fundraiser to benefit firehouse in Fort Collins
Chicago's Sega Indulges at Molly's Cupcakes
Crew Soccer Foundation Black and Gold 5k and 1 Mile Family Fun Walk
Houston Dynamos Host Carr's Big Play Bowling Event
Calen Carr's Big Play Bowling Event
Calen Carr announces 'Calen's Big Play' initiative to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters
Colorado's Charity Golf Tourney tees off September 10 in Parker
Chicago Fire Soccer Club to Hold Second Annual Practice in the Community
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
MLS clubs continue to make a difference in their communities this week. The Colorado Rapids honored victims of the Aurora tragedy and continue to raise funds for Help Colorado Now while the Timbers partnered with Aston Villa to visit with the Children's Cancer Association. The Philadelphia Union have been busy hosting the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game and partnered with MLS W.O.R.K.S. on a community service project in Chester and D.C. United raised $40,000 at the United Celebrity Golf Tournament. Sporting Kansas City players showed their love for animals by supporting the Great Plains SPCA and the New York Red Bulls raised awareness for Street Soccer USA. It's all here in this week's club highlights:
Colorado Rapids jersey auction to support HelpColoradoNow.org underway
New York Red Bulls raising awareness of the Street Soccer USA National Cup
Stand Together: Timbers and Aston Villa with Children's Cancer Association
Sporting Kansas City players, pets and posters
Rapids, Swansea, fans honor victims of Aurora tragedy
Philadelphia Union Foundation and partners construct playground
Special Rapids t-shirt on sale to benefit Center for Crime Victims
United Celebrity Golf Tournament raises more than $40,000
Colorado Military Appreciation Night
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
MLS W.O.R.K.S. joined the Philadelphia Union, Philadelphia Union Foundation, AT&T, Chester Upland School District and organizers from KaBOOM! to construct a new playground and small-sided field on Tuesday at Science and Discovery High School as part of the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game festivities.
MLS All-Stars Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Carlos Valdes (Philadelphia Union), Jay DeMerit (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Dan Kennedy (Chivas USA), Jimmy Nielsen and Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City), Osvaldo Alonso and Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC) and Philadelphia Union players Chase Harrison and Krystian Witkowski and MLS and Philadelphia Union executives were on hand to take part in youth activities, to aid in the construction of the playground and to officially unveil the AT&T Community Field. The players were joined by local volunteers in constructing the playground, while Philadelphia Union Academy coaches led drills and small-sided games for children as part of the AT&T Youth Clinic. Former MLS All-Star Alexi Lalas was on hand to participate. The new facilities were officially opened with a net-cutting ceremony by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Philadelphia Union CEO and Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz and members of Chester Upland School District.
Tuesday's community service project was part of Major League Soccer's effort to create sustainable projects that leave a lasting legacy.
To view video from the event, click here.
Check out some photos on Flickr.
In addition to the event on Tuesday, MLS W.O.R.K.S. and the Philadelphia Union sponsored a Starlight Fun Center at Crozer-Chester Medical Center. Children undergoing treatment at Crozer-Chester Medical Center will be smiling brighter thanks to the multi-media Fun Center. Designed to combat anxiety and loneliness faced by hospitalized children, The Fun Center was unveiled today along with Philadelphia Union players Michael Lahoud and Amobi Okugo. Lahoud and Okugo visited with patients, participated in arts and crafts and cut the ribbon during the official dedication ceremony.
Check out some photos on Flickr.
MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community MVP Grand Prize winner was announced at last night’s 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game. Congratulations to Andrew Pocklington representing the Philadelphia Union! Andrew won $10,000 for the Animal Care and Control Center of Philadelphia.
Congratulations to Jeffrey Briley, winner of the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Continental Tire Greener Goals contest. Jeffrey and his daughter, Maya, took to the field at the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game where they were recognized for their efforts to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
To view more photos from the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game, click here.
MLS clubs lend a helping hand to support various non-profits, conduct soccer clinics, host fundraisers and visit children in the hospital. See the full stories here:
Sporting KC presents the Chipotle Challenge
Earthquakes' Lucile Packard Hospital Visit
Crew Soccer Foundation Golf Classic
Red Bulls Lend a Helping Hand at Camp Shriver Special Olympics
LA Galaxy to hold soccer equipment drive Saturday
Rapids to wear black armbands in honor of Marisa Colaiano
Impact Academy helps fight Cystic Fibrosis
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
MLS W.O.R.K.S. Gives Back to the Chester Community
MLS Players and Executives to Leave a Lasting Impact on Behalf of the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game
MLS W.O.R.K.S. is committed to increasing the accessibility of soccer, creating sustainable projects that leave a lasting legacy and supporting local youth programs that will encourage children to live a healthy and active lifestyle.
On July 24, Major League Soccer will join the Philadelphia Union, AT&T, Chester Upland School District and organizers from KaBOOM! to construct a new playground and small-sided field at Science and Discovery High School. The AT&T Community Field and new playground will provide more than 500 children in the Chester community with a safe place to play, and will increase awareness and provide additional opportunities for local youth to play soccer.
Over 200 volunteers will help construct the playground while Philadelphia Union Academy coaches lead drills and small-sided games for approximately 100 local children as part of the AT&T Youth Clinic. MLS All-Stars and Philadelphia Union players will join the day's festivities, taking part in youth activities, the construction of the playground and the ribbon-cutting ceremony with MLS and Philadelphia Union executives and members of the Chester Upland School District. Former MLS All-Star Alexi Lalas will also volunteer his time to participate in youth activities.
The day of service - a partnership between MLS W.O.R.K.S., the Philadelphia Union Foundation and AT&T - is part of the League's community service program, Unite. Volunteer. Serve., a collaborative effort to combine sport and service, promote good will and improve lives and communities at the grassroots level.
On Wednesday, July 25, MLS W.O.R.K.S. and the Philadelphia Union will team up with Starlight Children's Foundation for a hospital visit and placement of a Starlight Fun Center™ mobile entertainment unit at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, Pa. Part of the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Soccer Kicks Cancer program, the visit will provide an opportunity for seriously ill children and their families to enjoy a unique experience and a renewed sense of strength and hope. Union players will visit with patients, play games and participate in other activities prior to the dedication ceremony. In addition to the Fun Center, MLS will also provide tickets to the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game to Starlight families. The 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game, featuring the MLS All-Stars against Chelsea FC, will be played on Wednesday, July 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET at PPL Park in Chester, Pa.
During halftime of the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game, MLS W.O.R.K.S. will announce the 2012 Community MVP Grand Prize winner. Fans across the League had the opportunity to nominate individuals who are committed to improving their communities. Nineteen winners were selected, representing each MLS market, and competed in a two-week online contest. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $10,000 donation to the charity of their choice and a trip to the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game at PPL Park, which includes roundtrip airfare, two nights' accommodation, an award from Tiffany & Co. and official MLS merchandise as part of the prize package. Click here to view the final list of 2012 Community MVPs.
In addition, MLS W.O.R.K.S. and Continental Tire will recognize the winner of the "How Green Are Your Goals?" contest, created to engage MLS fans in environmentally friendly efforts leading up to Earth Day. Fans were encouraged to visit the Greener Goals website and share stories of how they incorporate green efforts into their everyday lives. Portland, the MLS market with the greenest MLS fans, has won a Solar 4R Schools Renewable School package valued at $50,000 for a deserving school in their city for Earth Day 2013. The prize includes a solar panel installation and a renewable energy education package for teachers. As the Grand Prize winner, Timbers' fan Jeffrey Briley won a trip to the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game and a set of tires, courtesy of Continental Tire.
Be sure to follow @MLSWORKS on Twitter and get updates from all of our events at #MLSWORKS and AT&T #MLSAllStar Game.