HARRISON, N.J. (Monday, October 14, 2019) – New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles has been named one of three finalists for the MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year award, MLS announced today. Finalists were announced today after voting ended last week.
In 2019 Robles continued to expand on his humanitarian efforts. In addition to monthly hospital visits and personal donations, Robles and his wife, Cara, host an annual Gala in conjunction with Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH), with all proceeds going to Tackle Kids Cancer.
This season, Robles also connected with several families of children with serious illnesses, hosting them at Red Bulls Training Facility and Red Bulls matches. Robles gave the children a chance to see a day in the life of a professional athlete, but also took it upon himself to experience a day in their life, visiting their hospitals and seeing their treatment and care routines. Additional awareness was raised through a video series about the program.
Robles and his teammates also partnered with HMH and Tackle Kids Cancer to design custom boots that were worn during warmups of New York’s September 29 match against D.C. United for MLS' Kick Childhood Cancer initiative. The Red Bulls are each matched with a local pediatric cancer patient, and the two spend a day together at Red Bulls Training Facility before sitting down to draw their custom designs over lunch. Robles wore his custom boots throughout the match before handing them off to his buddy in a post-game meet and greet.
Robles also walked in the Laureus Sport for Good fashion show, joining a host of other star athletes at a benefit Gala and fashion show, with all proceeds going directly to support The Laureus Foundations work to provide children from all backgrounds access to high-quality sports programs.
MLS End of Year Award voting consists of select local and national media, current MLS player, and technical staff votes. The award winners will be announced throughout the month of October by Major League Soccer.
Robles is also up for MLS Save of the Year presented by Allstate with online voting at MLSsoccer.com or the free MLS app from now through Oct. 22.
