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Community Player of the Year
 In 2005, the Timbers created a special award for the player that most exemplifies the goals of the team's Community Outreach Program by making a positive impact on community values, lending their time and energy to worthwhile causes and philanthropic activities during the course of the season.Each season, the team singles a player in recognition of their commendable efforts in making a difference off the playing field. The first recipient of the annual award was Brian Winters, who made an extraordinary impact off the field in his five seasons with the club. Winters, the Timbers Community Player of the Year for 2005, reflected on his efforts while playing for the organization from 2001-2005. “When you're playing in front of the community that supports you, you have a responsibility to give back,” Winters said. “Whether it's conducting clinics, visiting kids or making appearances, it's very important to stay involved with the fans.” Winters, a member of the Timbers’ inaugural USL team in 2001, took part in leading youth soccer camps and clinics in the greater Portland area and individually volunteered at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Additionally, he made visits to area schools and Boys & Girls Clubs, emphasizing the importance of reading and education. He also took part in several community events, including a celebrity bowling fundraiser for abused children.  In 2006, the Timbers honored midfielder Tom Poltl as the Community Player of the Year for his dedicated efforts off the pitch.“The Timbers organization prides itself on its extensive involvement in the community,” said former Timbers president John Cunningham. "Tom is a constant and significant contributor to the many different community programs we are involved with." In 2006 Poltl, a native of San Diego, Calif., worked with the many kids involved in the Timbers’ soccer camps and clinic programs, sharing his passion and knowledge of the game. He also led team appearances to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, special community events and local schools. In September, Poltl personally assisted in the Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon, helping to raise money for those patients and families battling various forms of the disease. In 2007, the Timbers honored midfielder Kiki Lara as the Community Player of the Year for his his exemplary efforts in making a difference off the playing field.  “Community outreach is at the core of our mission with the Portland Timbers, and nobody has embodied that ideal more than Kiki Lara,” said Merritt Paulson, president of the Timbers. “We congratulate and thank Kiki for his civic-minded efforts.”Lara, a native of Las Cruses, N.M., took part in the Timbers camps and team clinics program, participated John Wetten Elementary School’s “Everybody Reads” program, helped donate 20 new soccer balls to the physical education program at Boise-Elliot Elementary School in Portland, led an appearance at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital to visit families and present donated teddy bears, presented the Muscular Dystrophy Association with money raised through the Jersey-Off-Our-Back fundraiser and coached teams for a Portland-area youth soccer club.
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