Portland Timbers among four finalists for ESPN Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers are among four finalists for the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, it was announced today. The inaugural Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards, presented by ESPN and PlayStation, will celebrate and honor athletes, teams, nonprofits and members of the sports industry for using sport to serve communities and making a positive impact on society.

The inaugural Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards, which will take place Tuesday, July 14, at the Conga Room at L.A. Live, will be the first of its kind, bringing together the professional leagues and sporting community to recognize the collective good of sports.

The Timbers are joined by the Chicago Bulls (NBA), San Francisco 49ers (NFL) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Community Relations as finalists for the award. The Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year represents a sports team (and their community relations department or foundation) that demonstrates how teamwork between athletes and their team’s community relations or foundations can create a significant impact on a community or cause. The winner will receive a $75,000 grant (and $25,000 grant for each of the three finalists) from ESPN to the qualified charity related to the award-winning humanitarian efforts.

The Timbers, through the club’s community outreach platform, Stand Together, work to harnesses the power of sport to improve the lives of children and families in the Portland metro area through targeted programs, deep partnerships and philanthropic giving. Stand Together focuses on youth activity, education and the environment with an emphasis on cultural diversity and access for all to play. Since the club’s inaugural MLS season in 2011, the Timbers have given more than $2.4 million in cash and in-kind donations, including their philanthropic work through the Portland Timbers Community Fund, the club’s field-grants program, and various experiential and charitable activities.

The club’s signature Stand Together Week annually benefits more than 30 different nonprofits throughout the Greater Portland Metro area. Since 2012, Stand Together Week has generated over 7,000 volunteer hours by 2,000 volunteers on more than 100 projects.

Highlights of the evening will be featured during a 30-minute special on ESPN, July 23 at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific).