Luca Knows Heart: A.J. DeLaGarza Named MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year (VIDEO)
June 28, 2014; Palo Alto, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza (20) before the match against the San Jose Earthquakes at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Picture this: young Luca Wyatt DeLaGarza has grown up in heaven, simming the matches in Major League Soccer on his XBOX One in the sky and in the process determining the real-life outcomes of games here on Earth. You can imagine that today, he is saying, “Thanks for being awesome, Dad. I got your back until I see you here with me.” Luca’s father, A.J. DeLaGarza, was named MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year for his charitable work in the Greater Los Angeles community.
DeLaGarza is the first-ever Los Angeles Galaxy player to earn the Humanitarian of the Year award. As part of the deal, he has been awarded $5,000 by MLS and will donate $2,500 each to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and spcaLA. 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.
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The Maryland product, who has been part of a one-two combination with fellow Terrapin grad Omar Gonzalez, has 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.
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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.
DeLaGarza is planning 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. As a result of his charitable work, a new soccer field will be installed at APCH in South Los Angeles. DeLaGarza, Gonzalez, Rafael Garcia, James Riley, Jose Villareal, Oscar Sorto and Bradford Jamieson IV will be on hand, as well as several other important guests.
Here are the event details. To donate to Luca Knows Heart, visit support.chla.org/pages/lucaknowsheart.
WHAT:
MLS WORKS & LA Galaxy to unveil enhancements to A Place Called Home facilities. LA Galaxy players will join executives from MLS and LA Galaxy to officially unveil the multi-purpose synthetic turf field and participate in soccer drills.
WHEN:
Thursday, December 4
3:00 p.m. PT
**Individual interviews to follow field dedication ceremony**
WHERE:
A Place Called Home
2830 S. Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90011
WHO:
Don Garber, Commissioner, Major League Soccer
JoAnn Neale, Chief Administrative Officer, Major League Soccer
Jonathan Zeichner, Executive Director, A Place Called Home
Chris Klein, President, LA Galaxy
Dan Beckerman, CEO & President, AEG
Martha Saucedo, VP External Affairs, AEG
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LA Galaxy Players:
A.J. DeLaGarza, 2014 MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year
Omar Gonzalez
Rafael Garcia
James Riley
Jose Villarreal
Oscar Sorto
Bradford Jamieson IV
CONTACT:
Lauren Hayes, MLS Communications
Email: Lauren.Hayes@MLSsoccer.com
Phone: (708) 921-6504