Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad is one of three finalists for 2010 MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year, Major League Soccer announced on Wednesday. New York’s Seth Stammler and Houston’s Brian Ching are also nominated for the annual honor, with the winner scheduled to be announced on November 8th.
Conrad raised the bar on his involvement in the Kansas City community in 2010, going above and beyond the humanitarian efforts that have made him one of the most active professional athletes in the Kansas City area. Conrad continued his role as a player ambassador with the Autism Speaks foundation, holding his third annual clinic for more than 60 children affected by Autism, promoting the Soccer Day 5k for Autism Speaks, and devoting his time to attend many of the organization’s events and writing personal notes to children congratulating them on their special accomplishments.
Conrad is also in his third year as a player ambassador for the Child Protection Center, volunteering this year as Honorary Chair of their golf tournament in which he secured valuable donations and invited his Kansas City teammates as celebrity golfers for the event.
Conrad was the Wizards player representative for the Pepsi Refresh Project that he and his wife tirelessly promoted for the betterment of a local urban park. He is personally taking it upon himself to provide more than 100 kids from this area with transportation, tickets, t-shirts, and a personal visit for a game following the contest. Kansas City finished 2nd in Pepsi Refresh voting among MLS clubs, winning $25,000 for Belvidere Park.
Conrad’s wife Lyndsey was also the driving force behind the Wizards Wives Club annual Stuff the Bus school supply collection at a Wizards home game this year and Jimmy was on hand for the donation at the local City Union Mission shelter to meet families and hand out the supplies to school children.
He also served as a board member of the Kansas City Zoo Board for the first time this year, supporting their political action committee to secure government bonds for funding and taking part in the Jazzoo festival that raises funding for outreach opportunities and zoo operations. Finally, Conrad remains an active supporter of the Boys and Girls Club, and was asked to be a featured speaker for their “Graduate To Go” program that encourages inner-city youth to value education.
Jimmy Conrad just finished his 12th season in Major League Soccer and surpassed 300 games played in his MLS career during the 2010 season. He was named MLS defender of the year in 2005, one of four times as a finalist for the award. Conrad is a five-time MLS All-Star and four-time member of the MLS Best XI. He has 28 appearances for the United States National Team and was a member of the US squad at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
Conrad was named Kansas City's team Humanitarian of the Year.
