Major League Soccer announced today 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.
Sporting Kansas City is represented by Brandi Leggett for her involvement with the Active Readers program. A 2014 Kansas Regional Teacher of the Year, Leggett created the Active Readers program in 2013 at Prairie Ridge Elementary in Shawnee to further reading comprehension through students' interest in soccer and Sporting KC. More than 100 boys and girls participated in the eight-week program, which gathers students once a week for 30 minutes of soccer instruction followed by 30 minutes of reading/literacy instruction, and the district is acting to expand the program to seven elementary schools for the upcoming school year.
MLS WORKS Community MVP Contest fan voting is open now through July 25 on the MLS WORKS web site. Fans may also vote by tweeting: “I vote for the @MLSWORKS@WellsFargo@SportingKC #CommunityMVP” from 11 p.m. CT on July 24 through 11 p.m. CT on July 25. The Grand Prize winner will be announced on Friday, July 25 at 1 p.m. CT.
“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.
“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.”
