CARSON, Calif. (Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014) – LA Galaxy and Major League Soccer announced today that defender A.J. DeLaGarza was named the 2014 MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year. DeLaGarza, who was also named the 2014 LA Galaxy Humanitarian of the Year, becomes the first player in Galaxy history to earn the award. As part of the award, DeLaGarza has been awarded $5,000 by MLS and will donate $2,500 each to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and spcaLA.
DeLaGarza, 27, is notorious for being the first to volunteer for LA Galaxy Foundation events and has given his time to support numerous initiatives in the Los Angeles community. This season, DeLaGarza has spent countless hours in the local community, visiting patients at CHLA, unveiling a new public soccer field for youth in South Los Angeles and supporting the Galaxy’s Heroes Night initiative by purchasing tickets for our troops and participating in a California Highway Patrol (CHP) ride along.
The Maryland product also participated in the LA Galaxy Foundation’s Annual Golf Tournament and volunteered for the LA Galaxy 5K & Cozmo Family Run. Earlier this month, he helped fundraise for the LA Galaxy Foundation’s involvement in LAFEST, a charity-based soccer tournament held at StubHub Center. Additionally, DeLaGarza visits local schools and spends time participating in youth soccer clinics including the annual LA Galaxy Camps for Kids. The 2014 Galaxy Defender of the Year is also an avid animal lover and has volunteered multiple times at spcaLA.
This year when A.J.’s unborn son Luca was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect he immediately thought of the other families affected by a similar illness. A.J. and his wife Megan created a fundraising page for the Heart Institute at CHLA. Due to the generosity of soccer supporters across the country, DeLaGarza helped raised $25,000 to fund heart care and research. He continues to support the hospital and other families affected by heart disease. Fundraising efforts have not stopped, and donations in Luca’s memory are welcomed at support.chla.org/pages/lucaknowsheart.
DeLaGarza already has plans to support LA Galaxy Foundation partner, A Place Called Home, with service through the holidays by donating his time and holiday gifts for youth in need. For more information on the LA Galaxy Toy Drive, please visit www.lagalaxy.com/community.
