Fire midfielder Pause honored with Humanitarian of Year award

Chicago Fire midfielder Logan Pause and Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad will share the 2009 Humanitarian of the Year Award from MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, it was announced Friday.

Pause, a seven-year MLS veteran from Hillsborough, N.C., is active in several philanthropic efforts including the U.S. Soccer Foundation's Passback Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Garth Brooks Foundation and the Joshua Center in Chicago. His off-the-field work of mentoring local youth and participating in community outreach, grassroots and charity events demonstrates his compassion for others in need.

As a spokesperson for the U.S. Soccer Foundation's Passback Program, which provides children in urban economically disadvantaged areas with soccer equipment, he has regularly participated in local Passback clinics speaking to kids about wellness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Pause also volunteered this year with the Joshua Center in Chicago. The center is dedicated to providing support to women in crisis by focusing on emergency and long term needs in order to help them break the cycle of homelessness, addiction and abuse.

Conrad, who hails from Temple City, Calif., is an 11-year MLS veteran, five-time MLS All-Star and former MLS Defender of the Year. He continues to be active in philanthropic efforts throughout the Kansas City area and is being recognized as an exemplary role model within the community for his involvement with local schools, youth organizations and MLS W.O.R.K.S. initiatives.

• Chicago Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa will serve as the honorary flag raiser at the Fire's Eastern Conference semifinal match at 7:30 p.m. Saturday against New England Revolution. Hossa will start the traditional Chicago Fire chant prior to kickoff at Toyota Park.