VANCOUVER, BC – MLS WORKS announced on Friday that Vancouver Whitecaps FC representative Bill Yoachim has been named 2014 Community MVP, a league-wide contest that acknowledges someone who is committed to making a difference in their local community.
As the MLS WORKS Community MVP, Yoachim receives $10,000 to Hope and Health – the charity of his choice – and an all-expenses paid trip to the AT&T MLS All-Star game in Portland, Oregon.
“I have been blown away by the amount of support I have received since being elected as the Community MVP nominee for Whitecaps FC. To be the chosen out of 19 MLS clubs’ deserving nominees means all the more to me,” said Yoachim. “I will be donating the $10,000 provided by the contest towards future Hope and Health events, in an effort to grow and expand the reach and impact in the Aboriginal community through the beautiful game. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for voting and for all of the incredible support received these past two weeks.”
Yoachim was chosen as the Community MVP for Whitecaps FC due to his work as the executive director of Kw’umut Lelum Child and Family Services and an elected member of Chief and Council for Snuneymuxw First Nation.
He has risen above personal anguish to become a passionate and tireless advocate for Aboriginal children and youth committed to improving the life conditions for future generations. He is the co-founder and a key organizer of the annual Hope and Health movement, an event put on in partnership with Whitecaps FC that utilizes soccer to inspire hope and health across communities.
“Having been to this year’s Hope and Health event, I can say firsthand that Bill is an exceptionally deserving recipient of this award,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. “What this event has been able to do in connecting the community through the beautiful game is nothing short of fantastic. Congratulations to Bill and to everyone involved with Hope and Health.”
Members of Hope and Health will be in attendance at the September 6 match against D.C. United as the match-day community partner. On this night, Whitecaps FC will be honuoring Yoachim for his achievement.
Whitecaps FC would like to thank everyone who voted and helped in this fantastic cause. Join us in congratulating Bill for being recognized as the 2014 MLS WORKS Community MVP!
