WASHINGTON, D.C. - On the eve of its championship game, Major League Soccer honored three members of the Chicago Fire organization Saturday night at the MLS Awards Gala held in the nation's capital.
Veteran midfielder Diego Gutierrez was presented the U.S. Soccer Foundation-MLS W.O.R.K.S Humanitarian of the Year Award while Donald A. Ortale and Jessica Yavitz were honored as MLS' top Community Relations Executives.
"We are very proud of Diego, Donald and Jessica for their contributions to the Chicago Fire, the Fire Works for Kids Foundation and MLS W.O.R.K.S," said Fire CEO/President John Guppy. "All three have spent countless hours on community service projects that are promoting healthier lifestyles on a local, national and global level."
This past year, Gutierrez played an active role in the fight against malaria, serving as a national spokesperson for the Nothing But Nets campaign. Working together with MLS W.O.R.K.S and a consortium of other key organizations, Diego formed his own Nothing But Nets fund raising team to raise money to fight malaria in Africa. "Team Diego" developed a Public Service Announcement that aired in stadiums nation-wide, and helped raise over $400,000 to purchase insecticide-treated bed nets to protect children and adults.
In April, Gutierrez and his wife Ginna, along with MLS Commissioner Don Garber, were invited to the White House for a visit with President Bush and the first lady in the Rose Garden. More recently, Gutierrez took part as a panelist at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Malaria Forum in Seattle. Gutierrez is the first Fire player to receive the USSF Humanitarian award.
Ortale serves as the Fire's Senior Director of Community Relations and CEO for the Fire Works for Kids Foundation - the Fire's charitable arm. Ortale oversees a foundation that has raised over $1.2 million for charitable causes in its 10 years of existence. In addition to his fund-raising efforts, Ortale identifies, organizes and directs instructional programs that promote healthy lifestyle choices for school-age children. This year's award marks the fourth time Ortale has been honored as the MLS Community Relations Executive of the Year.
"We are tremendously honored to be representing the Fire organization and the other community relations departments throughout MLS at this evening's Gala," said Ortale. "We thank all of our Chicago Fire fans and donors to the Fire Works For kids Foundation for their support and efforts in giving a little back."
Yavitz, who has been with the Fire since 1999, works as the team's Director of Community Relations and Executive Director of the Fire Works for Kids Foundation. Yavitz oversees the team's grass roots community relations efforts while coordinating event planning and player appearances in the Chicagoland area. She is also responsible for the club's Volunteer Incentive Program.
"We are very proud and excited to accept this award on behalf of the entire Fire organization. It is an honor to be recognized for our hard work and dedication. We look forward to continuing to give back to the entire Chicagoland community," said Yavitz.
