Workplace
The 2015 Community Impact Awards: Business of the Year | Midsize Firms
By JEANNE LANG JONES October 19, 2015
This article originally appeared in the November 2015 issue of Seattle magazine.
WINNER
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle
Since ending joint business operations with the Seattle Seahawks, the Seattle Sounders soccer team has launched some innovative new community outreach efforts. While it has always donated money to community organizations, in June, Sounders FC held a Pride Match to support Seattles LGBT community and brought in as a speaker NBA veteran Jason Collins, the first openly gay athlete on a major United States professional team sport.
The Sounders Democracy in Sports program lets supporters get involved in such team decision making. This year, says Director of Community Outreach Roger Levesque, was a deep dive into what is important to our organization, our supporters and our team.
One happy result: Fans who traveled with the team to Honduras in August for a CONCACAF Champions League match had the opportunity to help the team refurbish a soccer field at a community youth center in Tegucigalpa.
The Sounders also continue to offer programs in local schools and jobs for homeless youth through the local nonprofit Youth Force.
SILVER AWARD
El Gaucho Hospitality
Seattle
Seattles Union Gospel Mission is a special cause for El Gaucho Hospitality, which operates fine-dining restaurants in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue and Portland. Twice a month, 10 El Gaucho Hospitality employees volunteer 12 to 15 hours of their time to serve delicious lunches to about 250 homeless people. El Gaucho Hospitality also caters the missions annual fundraiser at a reduced rate and donates gift cards to the auction. Being part of a warm meal for someone in need is priceless, says Sivi Mennen, general manager of the Seattle seafood restaurant Aqua by el Gaucho.