Bob Kellam, of Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community, has been named a Community MVP by Major League Soccer, which puts him in the running for the national prize: a $10,000 contribution to the charity of his choice, the Chicago Police Memorial Fund.“It’s a really great honor, and it’s great to bring recognition to the Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Police Memorial Fund,” he said.
Kellam, an 11-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, was named as the Chicago Fire’s representative for his work in the community through soccer.
In his time as a tactical officer in Chicago’s 9th District, Kellam has been awarded the CPD Lifesaving Award for pulling a woman and her child from a burning building, and he has received five department commendations and more than 75 honorable mentions.
He also created the K.I.C.K.S. (Keeping Inner City Kids Safe) program that offers soccer as a healthy alternative to at-risk youth. The program pairs up members of the CPD with local youth for soccer clinics.
“We were looking for a type of sports interaction with kids, and naturally soccer came to mind,” Kellam said. “It’s gone really well, and I think we’ve held a clinic in each district of the city.”
Kellam, who played soccer at the University of Illinois-Springfield, also started the Chicago Police Department soccer team that plays local and national matches to raise money for charity.
As his prize, Kellam will receive tickets to an upcoming Fire game, as well as free airfare and tickets to the MLS All-Star Game on July 27 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. He will be recognized at halftime of both games.
Kellam also is eligible for the grand prize, which is to be determined by fan voting on Major League Soccer’s Facebook page, where voting is unlimited. Going into the weekend, Kellam was 12th of 16 contestants.
