Eddie Gaven has been a visible community ambassador for the Crew throughout his career in Black & Gold. Since joining the organization in 2006, Gaven has poured his heart and soul into community initiatives that have impacted the greater Columbus area. He has participated in the Columbus Crew’s School Assembly program, speaking to hundreds of elementary-age children about the importance of making healthy choices, staying in school and displaying good character. Gaven has been a staple of the Crew’s visits to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Easter Seals program, bringing a smile to the faces of youngsters facing serious medical conditions and disabilities.
As an instrumental part of the Crew’s litter and graffiti clean-up efforts with Keep Columbus Beautiful and the Greater Linden Development Corporation, Gaven and numerous teammates helped pick-up more than 150 pounds of trash and painted over five graffiti sites in the Linden community during the Crew’s “Massive Makeover” project. Additionally, Gaven has been a long-time supporter of the St. Stephen’s House Community Food and Toy Drive, an effort to help needy community residents during the holiday season. He is also well known for donating his favorite personal items as part of a “player basket” for the Crew Soccer Foundation’s sports memorabilia fundraising auction to assist in funding programming for youth in Central Ohio.
As a model citizen and active community ambassador, Eddie Gaven is a prime candidate for MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year.
