VP of Community Relations and Chicago Fire Foundation Exec. Dir. Jessica Yavitz received this award on behalf of the team, marking yet another big year for the chairitable arm of the club .The PLAYS program est. 2013 was at the forefront of the efforts yet again, it is their robust comunity-based programming, it uses socccer in helping raise academics and build social and emotional learning with the at-risk population in public schools. Owner & Chairman Andrew Hauptman stated, "Our club is extremley thankful to all who supported the efforts of the Chicago Fire Foundation." The foundation also co - hosted the Special Olympics Unified Cup in Chicago with an aggressive "It's Everyone's Game", a mini pitch effort with philanthropic events in support of PLAYS. In Oct. PLAYS was honored in London at the Leaders Sports Awards in being with the top programs from the 15 nations involved. 2018 also saw them as finalists in the ESPN Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year Award.