Major League Soccer and Wells Fargo have announced the 26 Community MVPs that were selected for making a positive impact during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fans throughout the soccer community had the opportunity to nominate themselves or individuals who provided critical services, including healthcare professionals, social workers, teachers, first responders and many other essential workers keeping our communities resilient and safe.
Shane O’Rourke was selected as the MNUFC Community MVP. He is the founder of LiftUp, a non-profit that gives away 100% of donations. Through LiftUp, donations are sent to certified projects throughout the Minneapolis community, as well as around the world. O’Rourke and LiftUP were one of the first to respond with cleanup crews and food donations to help rebuild Minneapolis. As people learned about the work O’Rourke has done, they have joined LiftUp and raised additional funds for the community. This year, LiftUp was able to provide 20 beds for children and raised more than $25,000 to feed children in the Minneapolis area.
Through the 2020 MLS WORKS Community MVPs Program presented by Wells Fargo, $2,500 will be donated to LiftUp on behalf of O’Rourke for going above and beyond to serve their communities during these challenging times.
Each Community MVP will also receive a donation to a 501(c)(3) charity of their choice, a customized adidas MLS jersey and an MLS adidas 2020 NATIVO XXV Official Match Ball. Please see below to learn the full list of MLS Community MVPs:
- ATLANTA UNITED – ULRIC ALSOBROOK
- CHICAGO FIRE – KIM PEHLKE
- FC CINCINNATI – KENT WELLINGTON
- COLORADO RAPIDS – KOEUN KELLY
- COLUMBUS CREW – SUZIE GERHARDT
- FC DALLAS – HEATHER CANTERBURY
- D.C. UNITED – ZAIN HABBOO
- HOUSTON DYNAMO – TANESHU COLLIER
- LAFC – CELIA WARD– WALLACE
- LA GALAXY – VITELO “VITO” AGUILAR
- INTER MIAMI – JOSE BENCHIMOL
- MINNESOTA UNITED – SHANE O’ROURKE
- MONTREAL IMPACT – NATHALIE BOUCHARD
- NASHVILLE SC – DR. ALEX JAHANGIR
- NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION – STEPHANIE FRAZIER-GRIMM
- NYCFC – HEATHER BUTTS
- NEW YORK RED BULLS – JACKIE BARAS
- ORLANDO CITY – SHANTA BARTON-STUBBS
- PHILADELPHIA UNION – NANCY CRASKEY
- PORTLAND TIMBERS – DARIUS JONES
- REAL SALT LAKE – MYLO FOWLER
- SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES – WILLIAM “EWELL” STERNE
- SEATTLE SOUNDERS – DR. JULIE MCCLEERY
- SPORTING KANSAS CITY – BROOKE WIENS
- TORONTO FC – LAEL HILLIS
- VANCOUVER WHITECAPS – JESSE SYMONS
