Major League Soccer has announced the twenty finalists for the 2016 MLS WORKS Community MVP Contest. The Grand Prize winner, as voted by fans, will be recognized on the field at halftime of the 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Game at Avaya Stadium in San Jose on July 28, 2016, and will receive a $10,000 donation for their selected charity.
Jennifer Marcello of Special Olympics Illinois represents the Chicago Fire as a contest finalist. Marcello has worked with Special Olympics Illinois in different capacities over the last 20 years, and has been instrumental in the growth and expansion of the Chicago Fire Unified Soccer All-Star Team over the last two seasons. Under Marcello's watch, opportunities for local youth with and without intellectual disabilities to participate and compete have expanded throughout the state. Vote for Marcello in the Grand Prize contest and view the rest of the nominees here.
Each Community MVP finalist will receive two tickets to a 2016 MLS match and a trip for two to the 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Game in San Jose, CA, among other prizes. In addition to the Grand Prize winner receiving a $10,000 donation to their selected charity, Wells Fargo has pledged a $1,000 donation to each selected charity of the remaining 19 finalists.
The finalists were selected after being nominated by other members of their community for using soccer as a tool to help make a positive impact in one of the following areas:
· Social issues focusing on inclusion, diversity and equality
· Health issues affecting men, women or children
· Community service for a local, national or international charity or community organization
Fans are encouraged to vote online by visiting the Community MVP Contest site and using the vote or Tweet buttons for selected finalist.
