Beyond The Nat 2020

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

By Rob Fai / Vancouver Canadians | January 24, 2020 5:30 PM

There is a saying that “just because my path is different doesn’t mean I’m lost,” referring to the many twists and turns that life can present over the course of time that can somehow end exactly where we need it to. The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation, thanks to the generosity of co-owner Jeff Mooney and his wife Suzanne, created a post-secondary scholarship program to help those on their path in life find a way to have it include education.

Valued at up to $15,000 per year, per recipient, the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation in cooperation with The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Coast BC has identified seven new scholarship recipients for the upcoming year from all walks of life and with completely different aspirations.

The prerequisite for applying for the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Scholarship Program was simple. Show that you had a passion for continuing education beyond high school and show a commitment to your community and its betterment.

This year’s recipients of the Jeff Mooney & Suzanne Bolton Scholarships are all extremely deserving. Here is a look at just two of the many we helped open the door for this year.

Ludee Plaw came to Canada as a child along with her family when she was just seven years old after spending more than a year in a refugee camp in her native Thailand. Her parents hoped for a better future for their children by simply waiting for their turn to be processed by the Thai government. Not knowing where they would be sent – the Plaw family who eventually find out that Canada would be their destination and upon arriving months later had little to show for their life back home.

“We came here not knowing English, not knowing anything,” says Plaw just steps away from a local Boys & Girls Club much like the one she frequents in the Fraser Valley.

“It was new for my parents, but I think it was worth it as they watched us grow up learning a second language, going to school and graduating high school which was a big thing for them because they didn’t graduate high school. I am the first one to now attend university which is the biggest thing for them, and they are really proud because I never would have gotten this type of education back home.”

A few summers ago, Plaw found her calling in life that unfortunately came at a cost.

“A few years back my aunt got sick and as I spent time with her at the hospital, I realized I wanted to become a nurse. Watching the nurses, they were so caring to my aunt and my entire family. Even though my aunt didn’t make it – I wanted to do this for her, and I want to take care of my family. That moment made me realize that I wanted to make a difference.”

Ludee will begin her university studies in September with her costs covered by the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation.

Megan Wong is halfway home when it comes to her degree but as she admits sometimes ‘life’ can get in the way. Ready to step away from her studies the Boys & Girls Clubs Fraserview let her know of the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation scholarship program and after sending in a heartfelt application became a finalist and eventually a recipient of enough funding to continue her education.

“When I was writing the letter, it was actually really difficult. I didn’t think it was going to be as difficult as it was because I don’t really like to talk about things but I knew I wanted to make it as true and as accurate as I could,” said Megan who admitted it took her about ten tries to feel ready to send the letter off to the selection committee.

Weeks later, Megan was summoned to her Boys & Girls Club for a meeting not realizing what was about to be shared with her but once she received the news – the weight of the world felt as if it had been lifted from her shoulders.

“I was ecstatic, and it was amazing. I could tell how much it meant to both of us and it was just so special to realize that there are people here to support me and believe in me even when those times come along when I don’t believe in myself. I can finish what I started now.”

About the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Scholarship Program:

Created in 2018, Vancouver Canadians co-owner Jeff Mooney and his wife Suzanne Bolton generously donated $75,000 dollars toward funding for up to five (5) recipients. The goal was to provide up to $15,000 per scholarship winner to help them achieve their post-secondary dreams while also supporting them within their communities. Last year Jeff and Suzanne increased their donation to $100,000 to provide even more assistance.

Teens in Grades 11 and 12 can apply through their local Boys & Girls Club and are vetted by a selection committee that includes Vancouver Canadians staff, Boys & Girls Clubs staff and a handful of external members including the donor of the scholarship Suzanne Bolton. The applicant must show a willingness both to attend a post-secondary institution as well as commit to bettering their community through volunteer services or a program benefitting local youth.

More than a dozen students have been able to begin and/or continue their post-secondary education thanks to this program.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

The Rivalry: Red Sox – Yankees Greats Highlight Granite State Baseball Dinner

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

MANCHESTER, N.H. – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays), the Fisher Cats Foundation, and the Ted Williams Foundation have confirmed the initial group of guests for the 2019 Granite State Baseball Dinner, presented by Northeast Delta Dental.

This year’s fundraising event will be held on Saturday, November 23 at 5 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown Hotel Expo Center. Since 2007, the event has hosted over 13,000 guests and donated more than $1.75 million to the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD) and the Fisher Cats Foundation. Tickets are available at NHFisherCats.com.

Hall of Famers Goose Gossage and Wade Boggs headline the 2019 celebrity guest list, along with several other Red Sox and Yankees legends: Bucky Dent, Bill Lee, Luis Tiant, Rico Petrocelli and Bob Stanley. The players will sign autographs from 5 – 7 p.m., and share stories from their careers and the greatest rivalry in baseball during the subsequent dinner program.

New Hampshire’s own Chris Carpenter  will join the festivities, as the 2005 Cy Young Award Winner and two-time World Series Champion continues to donate his time to raise funds for the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and the Fisher Cats Foundation.

Goose Gossage, a 2008 Hall of Fame inductee, will make his first appearance at the Granite State Baseball Dinner. Gossage pitched for nine teams in his 22 big league seasons, including seven with the Yankees (1978-1983, 1989). He was a nine-time All-Star and led the major leagues in saves for three years, including the 1978 World Series Championship season.

First Ballot Hall of Famer Wade Boggs will attend the dinner for a third time. A career .328 batter with 3,010 hits, he was the only player in the 20th century with seven straight 200-hit seasons. Boggs played 11 years in Boston to begin his career (1982-1992), and won the 1996 World Series with the Yankees. He spent his last two seasons in Tampa Bay, and in 1999 he became the first player to join the 3,000 hit club with a home run. Boggs entered the Hall of Fame wearing a Red Sox cap in 2005, and had his number 26 retired at Fenway Park in 2016.

Bucky Dent, a prominent figure in the Red Sox – Yankees rivalry, will make his Granite State Baseball Dinner debut. Dent is best known for his three-run home run in the 1978 American League East Tiebreaker Game. With New York trailing 2-0 in the top of the seventh, Dent’s go-ahead homer eventually led the Yankees to a 5-4 victory and a playoff berth. He was named 1978 World Series MVP, hitting .417 with 7 RBI in the six-game series win over the Dodgers.

Red Sox greats and popular baseball dinner mainstays Bill Lee, Bob Stanley, Rico Petrocelli and Luis Tiant — who all played against Gossage and Dent in the 1970s — will return to Manchester in 2019.

“When it comes to the best rivalries in sports, it doesn’t get any better than Red Sox – Yankees,” said Fisher Cats President Mike Ramshaw. “The Red Sox have had the upper hand in recent years, but there’s a lot of history between these two teams, and I know this year’s celebrity guests will have plenty of stories to tell.”

Tickets for this year’s event are $80 and can be purchased at NHFisherCats.com and by calling 603-641-2005.

Doors to the event will open at 5 p.m. with a silent auction and an autograph session with the honored guests from 5-7 p.m. The dinner and the evening’s program will begin at 7 p.m.

The primary beneficiary of the dinner is the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD). CHaD, New Hampshire’s comprehensive, full-service children’s hospital, is committed to providing outstanding compassionate care for children and their families. Offering primary, specialty, and tertiary care to the children of New Hampshire, Vermont, and beyond, their focus includes keeping all kids healthy and safe.

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats established the Fisher Cats Foundation to be a catalyst for the betterment of communities statewide by supporting youth programs that encourage education and promote healthy living. Through the generous support of players, employees, sponsors, and fans, the Fisher Cats Foundation continuously works to make a positive impact throughout New Hampshire and north-central Massachusetts. As the primary funding source for the team’s philanthropy, the Fisher Cats Foundation supports a wide variety of non-profit organizations and coordinates several fundraising programs and events. Since its inception in 2006, the Foundation and the Fisher Cats have provided more than $5.7 million in monetary and in-kind donations to thousands of non-profit organizations.

The Ted Williams Foundation works to preserve and build on the rich tradition of our national pastime through education and outreach. Proceeds from the Granite State Baseball Dinner are instrumental in the Foundation’s mission to provide youth baseball programs and scholarships for deserving student-athletes. The Foundation is also an active partner with the Rays, Red Sox, Twins, Orioles & Phillies Organizations raising funds to provide assistance to their many charitable programs including the Boys & Girls Club, Pediatric Cancer, Animal Shelters and youth Diabetes programs.

For more information about the charitable Granite State Baseball Dinner, presented by Northeast Delta Dental, please call the Box Office at (603) 641-2005 or visit www.nhfishercats.com.

For tickets and information, visit www.nhfishercats.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

C’s partner with The Cape Group on New Community Initiative

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(Nat Bailey Stadium – Vancouver, B.C.) – The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club in cooperation with The Cape Group are proud to announce a new community initiative that will give local baseball organizations the chance to truly make a difference for players of all abilities.

The Change-Up Field Project will award two (2) baseball organizations from within the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) with a grant of $50,000 to refurbish a facility/field that is utilized within their community for amateur baseball.

Applicants will have to meet a criteria set in place by The Change-Up Field Project (click HERE for details) and the recipients of this annual grant will be announced at the Vancouver Canadians Annual Hot Stove Luncheon in January of 2020.

“When we look at a submission from an organization, we are looking for goals that directly benefit the youth from within its membership,” states Vancouver Canadians President Andy Dunn.

“Whether it’s creating a better ballpark environment through field improvements or building something new for children of all abilities to access their ballpark – we are looking for constructed ideas that show a direct benefit to children from across the GVRD.”

Applications are now set to be received and close on November 1st, 2019.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Registration open: Marcy Dandes Memorial Family Bike Ride on Sept. 28

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Celebrate the life and passion of one of the ballpark’s and WNY’s great citizens with an amazing event on Saturday, September 28 at Delaware Park, the first annual Marcy Dandes Memorial Family Bike Ride.

Proudly sponsored by Rich Products and co-chaired by Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Mrs. Michelle Brown, the Marcy Dandes Memorial Family Bike Ride will be a celebration of friends and family and will look to raise funds for two organizations close to Marcy’s heart, ECMC and ConectLife.

The event, only $25 per adult and $10 per child, will be held at Delaware Park and bikes, trikes, non-motorized scooters, strollers and walkers are all welcome. After a ride around Ring Rd. from 9:30-10:30am, there will be music by DJ Milk, food, a kids bike rodeo and much more!

Be one of the first 500 individuals to register for the ride and you will also receive an exclusive cycling cap!

Registration is now open at DandesFamilyRide.com and you can also make donations at the same address.

Marcy was deeply engaged in the WNY community, a dedicated volunteer for ECMC and a passionate advocate of the Donate Life mission through ConnectLife. The Family Bike Ride in her memory will benefit both ECMC and Unyts, and will continue Marcy’s legacy of giving across WNY for years to come.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

2019 Bluefield Blue Jays Baseball Camp

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Registration is now open for our 2019 Bluefield Blue Jays Baseball Camp.

Youth (ages 6-13 years old) are invited to our annual Blue Jays Camp here at Bowen Field on the 13th of July. Campers will be working with the players from the Blue Jays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Lunch will also be provided to all campers.

Please see the link below to access the registration forum and contact us at (304) 324-1326 for any questions or concerns.

http://www.milb.com/documents/3/3/6/308016336/2019_Blue_Jays_Baseball_Camp.pdf

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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Micah Hyde Charity Softball Game to be played at Sahlen Field, June 2 (1pm)

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The inaugural Micah Hyde Charity Softball Game benefitting his IMagINe for Youth Foundation will be held at Sahlen Field, home of the Buffalo Bisons on Sunday, June 2 (10 a.m.). A 2017 Pro Bowl player, Micah Hyde will be joined by his Buffalo Bills teammates and other Buffalo legends and celebrities as they battle it out on the diamond for charity.

Tickets go on sale Friday, March 8, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Bisons.com

Micah Hyde shares, “Growing up, I was fortunate to be heavily involved in sports. Though I was given the opportunity to do so, I witnessed the obstacles my family had to face in order to provide opportunities, not only for myself, but my siblings as well. With all of these activities came costs that were not easy for my mother to attain. I can remember being responsible for insurance and participation fees, travel costs along with purchasing the equipment needed. If it were not for my mom doing all that she could do, along with a support system that we were able to fall back on, I would not be where I am today. I know there are many kids that face similar circumstances, but unfortunately, they do not have a support system to depend on. That’s why the IMagINe for Youth Foundation is here to give children the support they need in order to participate.

Looking back, being involved in athletics was more than Xs and Os. I learned to take the good with the bad, the bad with the good, and playing with countless personalities taught me how to coexist and be a team player. These are fundamentals that stuck with me. I believe sports is a gateway to learning how to be successful in the real world. I strongly believe that every child deserves the same opportunity to learn and experience those successes.

I have always wanted to give back. Now is the time to do so. Please join me in making a difference. I’M IN. Are you?”

Tickets for the softball game are just $10 or $23 – Micah Hyde’s jersey number. A very limited number of tickets are available for $75 for the best seats in the house that include a Micah Hyde autographed Buffalo Bills mini-helmet. Tickets can be purchased at Bisons.com starting on Friday, March 9 at 10 a.m. or at that time at the Sahlen Field Box Office.

If you are interested in group ticket, suites or sponsorship donation opportunities, please contact Lammi Sports Management at (414) 727-3600.

More information on the IMagINe for Youth Foundation.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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Bisons to donate tickets for every pack purchased during the ‘Season of Giving’

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In the spirit of the season and how amazing it feels to share the gift of baseball with others, the Bisons today announced an all new ‘Season of Giving’ program. For every ticket package sold during the month of December, the team will donate four (4) undated flex tickets for any April game in 2019 to a local 501c3 non-profit organization of the ticket-buyers’ choice.

>>>CLICK HERE to view all Bisons 2019 Ticket Pack Options<<<</a>

The ‘Season of Giving’ will run through the entire month of December and include both renewals and new ticket package purchases made at Bisons.com, by calling (716) 843-4373 or by stopping by the Sahlen Field Box Office (Mon. -Thu. 9am-3pm, Fri. 9am-1pm).

Those that purchase a ticket package can provide the name of any registered 501c3 organization to be the recipient of the donated tickets or allow the Bisons to choose one of the many great causes the team currently works with.

The Bisons have a number of great ticket packages currently available that would include the donation of 4 undated flex tickets to a worthy cause.

All Bisons Holiday Packs (starting at $53) -Choose from 3 options with each Holiday Pack including Opening Day tickets, flex tickets, a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ornament and a great Bisons merchandise option. Savings up to 66%

>>>CLICK HERE TO VIEW BISONS HOLIDAY PACKS<<<</a>

Season Tickets (starting at $525) -See all 70 Bisons games in 2019 with over 50% in savings and the most exclusive rewards and benefits package in sports. CLICK HERE for 2019 season ticket info.

12-Game Flex Pack ($138) -Receive 12 undated flex tickets that can be used for any game and in any combination throughout the 2019 season (excludes July 3rd).

Family Pack ($81) -Receive four undated tickets, $30 in Bisons Bucks and 25% off at the ballpark gift shops (excludes July 3rd).

Event Packs (starting at $80) -The Bisons also have special individual ticket packages for next year’s Star Wars Night, KeyBank Independence Eve Celebration with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Superhero Night.

>>>CLICK HERE to view all Bisons 2019 Ticket Pack Options<<<</a>

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Baseball Dinner Has Donated Over $1.7 Million

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Manchester, N.H. – Continuing the team’s holiday tradition, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays Double-A affiliate) announced today that the proceeds generated from the 2018 Granite State Baseball Dinner brought the overall donation total above $1.7 million since 2007.

Through sponsorship donations, ticket sales, silent and live auctions, and raffle ticket sales, a donation of over $91,000 from this year’s event will benefit the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD), the Ted Williams Foundation, and the Fisher Cats Foundation.

Presented by Northeast Delta Dental, the 2018 dinner welcomed first-time guests like First Ballot Hall of Famer Steve Carlton, 2004 World Series Champion Orlando Cabrera, and Big Red Machine staple George Foster. The event also featured two of the only MLB first round draft picks to come out of New Hampshire: Chris Carpenter (1993) and Grant Lavigne (2018).

The Fisher Cats will open the 2019 season on Thursday, April 4 at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (New York Mets). Full and Half-Season Tickets and Mini-Ticket Plans are currently on sale, and each features a variety of benefits, gifts, and experiences. To learn more, stop by the box office at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, call (603) 641-2005, or visit www.nhfishercats.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

9th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Canadians Hot Stove Luncheon Tickets Now On-Sale

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(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium – Vancouver, B.C.) – Tickets to the 9th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Canadians Hot Stove Luncheon set for Friday, January 25th, 2019 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver from 12pm to 2pm are now on-sale as we look to sell this event out for it’s 9th consecutive year!

At this year’s event, we will feature a handful of special guests from the Toronto Blue Jays family that will surely bring out the true baseball fans in each and everyone as this event has brought everyone from Marcus Stroman, Russell Martin and Aaron Sanchez to Hall of Famers Tim Raines and Roberto Alomar. This year, we will feature several baseball greats that will not disappoint!

Bring your family, friends and colleagues together for an afternoon of fun, food and familiar faces as we support the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation on Friday, January 25th, 2019. This event has sold out in each of its first eight years so don’t delay.

Click HERE for the 9th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Canadians Hot Stove Luncheon Order Form

About the 9th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Canadians Hot Stove Luncheon:

Each year, the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation brings fans together to celebrate our efforts from within our Foundation. Are goal is not only to raise funding for our many programs, but also bring awareness to the many local children from our own neighbourhoods that need our commitment and support. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and partners, we have been able to welcome more than 1,500 children between the ages of 8 and 13 out to historic Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium and provide them with the opportunity to play organized baseball, cost-free which includes their equipment, transportation and meals. We are also proud to say we have had more than 100 local volunteers donate their time to this project allowing children to feel safe, build confidence and learn the game of baseball on the same diamond that the Vancouver Canadians play on each summer.

The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation has helped a number of community programs, teams and organizations with funding and this year we will unveil our newest community initiative which will give baseball leagues from all across the Lower Mainland the chance to receive much needed support.

Since 2010, the VCBF has helped a number of teams, programs and community initiatives including:

Challenger Baseball – Not only have the Canadians provided funding to the league inself dating back to 2009, but in 2016 the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation in cooperation with Variety – the Children’s Charity, the Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation & Jays Care created Western Canada’s first fully synthetic baseball field specifically designed for Challenger Baseball which included dugouts and a playing surface that met needs ensuring that all children could discover and enjoy the game of baseball. The Variety Challenger Baseball ‘Field of Dreams is located just steps away from historic Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

UBC Thunderbirds Baseball – For nearly a decade the VCBF has donated nearly $200,000 to the UBC Thunderbirds Baseball Program to provide scholarships set aside exclusively for local student/athletes who want to continue pursuing their post-secondary education while playing for Canada’s most celebrated collegiate baseball program. Since our donations began, UBC has seen more than 35 players receive direct funding thanks to the generosity of our supporters.

Women’s National Baseball Program – Still in it’s infancy, the VCBF has supported Baseball Canada’s efforts to elevate women’s baseball across the country. The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation provided financial support to the Women’s Program to send their players to the Dominican Republic for a player identification camp that also gave the players and coaching staff the chance to immerse themselves into one of the world’s most passionate countries when it comes to the game of baseball.

Vancouver Canadians Baseball League – This cornerstone program of the VCBF brings out upward of 300 local children each summer to play organized baseball, many of them for the first time in their lives, cost-free thanks to your generosity. This League transports children from 11 different districts throughout the Lower Mainland, provides them with certified equipment, a warm supper mid-game and gives them a safe place to receive mentorship and guidance that helps them both on and off the field. This program which operates in cooperation with The Boys & Girls Clubs of B.C. have provided an opportunity for more than 1,500 local children between the ages of 8-and-13 since 2009.

Jeff Mooney & Suzanne Bolton Youth Scholarship Program – Created in 2017, Vancouver Canadians co-owner Jeff Mooney & his wife Suzanne Bolton created a Scholarship Program donated to The Boys & Girls Clubs of B.C. in hopes of providing an opportunity for up to seven local children who aspire to continue their education beyond high school. The requirements are that they apply for this $10,000+ scholarship showing a commitment to both the classroom and the community. In 2017, all seven scholarships were presented thanks to the overwhelming generosity of both Jeff Mooney & his wife Suzanne Bolton. This year, we look forward to awarding seven more scholarships to deserving young men and women who are making a difference at home, in their communities and in the classroom.

Our newest Community Commitment will be unveiled at this year’s event and we look forward to sharing this exciting “hands-on” project with you all on Friday, January 25th, 2019 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

We cannot help without your support, and tickets to this event go on-sale starting Thursday, November 15th at 12:00pm by calling 604.872.5232, online here at www.canadiansbaseball.com or by visiting the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office at 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver, B.C.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Canadians Thanksgiving provides local families with holiday cheer

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(Vancouver, B.C.) – With both wins and losses in the rearview mirror the Vancouver Canadians were more than happy to roll up the old sleeves and head into the community to kickstart the Thanksgiving Long Weekend by sharing more than 100 family-sized turkeys with those connected to the Salvation Army Vancouver Community & Family Services on Fraser Street. The annual donation with now reaches back more than a decade brings Save-On-Foods Main Street, the Vancouver Canadians and the Salvation Army with one collective purpose – to ensure families from across our neighbourhood can enjoy a quality and heartfelt holiday.

Led by Vancouver Canadians Vice President, Sales & Marketing Graham Wall, the C’s work with both Save-On-Foods and The Salvation Army to prepare a cost-free initiative that also provides dignity to those receiving this gift in time for the Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend.

“It speaks to the leadership from within our community,” states Graham Wall as he describes how both Save-On-Foods and The Salvation Army make this annual event a priority each October.

“These are the types of businesses that we encourage everyone within our community to support,” adds Wall.

Save-On-Foods provides both the family-sized turkey as well as the basting pan which makes the cooking of the meal that much easier while the Canadians present the distribution while sharing a time-tested recipe that will ensure the turkey comes out of the oven juicy and ready for the whole family to enjoy.

Dating back to 2008, the Vancouver Canadians Thanksgiving has now connected with more than 1,000 local families and is a staple of the organization’s off-season philanthropic efforts.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Connor Eller Receives Blue Jays Community Service Award

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Right-handed pitcher Connor Eller has been selected as the 2018 Dunedin Blue Jays Community Service Award winner for his continued commitment to helping those in need in the Dunedin community and supporting Blue Jays community initiatives.

The Blue Jays Community Service Award has been given annually since 2012 to the Blue Jays player who best exemplifies the team’s commitment to enriching the Dunedin community through a variety of outreach programs that promote education, healthy lifestyles, and charity. Throughout the 2018 season, Eller represented the Blue Jays in the community through numerous appearances away from the ballpark as he worked to encourage local children and support local families.

“Connor has been a leader in the clubhouse and the community for the past two seasons. He’s exemplified everything this award stands for through his continued dedication to our community service projects,” Blue Jays Manager of Community Relations Kathi Beckman said. “We couldn’t be more proud to present him with the 2018 Community Service Award.”

Eller helped lead the 2018 Blue Jays Bookin’ It To The Ballpark Reading Program, the largest community outreach program in the franchise’s history, reaching fifteen-hundred elementary school students in 19 Pinellas County schools. He visited local elementary schools to support the program and promote literacy by reading to local students, answering their questions, and encouraging them in their studies.

“My favorite event was definitely the reading visits,” Eller said. “The kids get so excited when you walk in the door. Seeing their smiles when they come up and read with you is a joy.”

Eller was also active at the 2018 Blue Jays Bowling Tournament, an event that raised over $10,000 to benefit local families through Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay. He also volunteered to help local families at the Dunedin Cares, Inc. Food Pantry, helping to fight hunger in the Dunedin Community. At their annual Hometown USA celebration, the Blue Jays collected 1,126 pounds of food for Dunedin Cares, Inc. as part of Minor League Baseball’s annual BUSH’s Beans Food Drive. Alongside teammate Riley Adams and mascot DJay, Eller helped sort and distribute the food the team had collected to local families.

“It was really neat when Riley and I went to the Food Pantry. I think we gave back to the community in a different way. It was heartwarming to put yourself in other people’s situation and be able to help them and show love to them.”

Eller joins a distinguished list of former Community Service Award winners that includes Danny Barnes, Matt Newman, Taylor Cole, L.B. Dantzler, Jorge Saez, Tim Mayza, and Josh DeGraaf.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Blue Jays Minor’s Top Contributor In “Team Up Against Hunger” Food Drive

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Minor League Baseball and BUSH’s Beans announced on Tuesday that the Dunedin Blue Jays were the top contributing team in the “Team Up Against Hunger” July food drive initiative. Blue Jays fans donated 1,126 pounds of non-perishable food items at Dunedin’s annual Hometown USA celebration, the largest donation of nearly 80 participating Minor League teams from across the country. In recognition of the generosity of Dunedin fans, BUSH’s Beans and MiLB Charities will match the Blue Jays’ donation to the Dunedin Cares, Inc. Food Pantry to help local families in need in Pinellas County.

Over five tons of food was collected during the 2018 food drive throughout the Minor Leagues, which will help provide over 9,000 meals to families in need in 35 states. The food items donated by Blue Jays fans and the matching donation from BUSH’s Beans/MiLB Charities will go to Dunedin Cares, Inc., a local food pantry that has distributed over 85,000 pounds of food to over 6,500 local residents since 2015.

Blue Jays staff, mascot DJay, and players Riley Adams and Connor Eller visited the Dunedin Cares, Inc. Food Pantry to deliver the team’s donation and help sort and distribute the food to local families in late July. At the Blue Jays July 3rd Hometown USA event, $595 was raised for Dunedin Cares through an in-game 50/50 raffle in addition to the donation of non-perishable food items.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Blue Jays Bowling Tournament Raises Over $10,000

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DUNEDIN-FL, The Dunedin Blue Jays 2018 Charity Bowling Tournament on Saturday, July 21st raised $10,370 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay. Over 200 local baseball fans participated in the event, joining the entire Dunedin Blue Jays team at Maple Lanes Countryside Bowling Alley in Clearwater for a day of bowling, raffles, silent auctions, and prizes during the team’s fifth annual tournament. Since 2014, the event has raised over $45,000 to support the well-being of local families through Ronald McDonald House Charities.

“The Blue Jays are incredibly grateful for the continued support of local businesses and their sponsorships that make this event possible each year, for our players for dedicating their time to helping the local community, and most of all for fans who helped make this year’s event a success,” Kathi Beckman, the Blue Jays Manager of Community Relations, said following the event.

For the third consecutive year, the event raised over $10,000 to help Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay care for families with children receiving treatment in local hospitals. Adding to the excitement at the tournament, local fan Teddy K. threw the first perfect 300 game in bowling tournament history. For his feat, Teddy was awarded a team-signed bowling ball and pin and the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at a 2019 Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training game.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Learn From The Pros At Blue Jays Baseball Camp

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Looking for a great baseball camp experience for your child? Look no further than your hometown Dunedin Blue Jays Summer Baseball Camp. The camp features four mornings of professional instruction from Blue Jays coaches and players, and will feature expert instruction in fielding, throwing, batting, and base running. Lunch will be provided for all attending each day.

Dates: Monday, July 9 – Thursday, July 12
Time: 9 AM – 12 PM (Lunch served until 12:30
Ages: 6-16
Location: Dunedin Stadium
Cost: $115 per camper ($100 with Jr. Jays Membership)

More information and sign-up

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Registration Open For Annual Charity Bowling Tournament

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

Registration is officially open for the fifth annual Dunedin Blue Jays Charity Bowling Tournament to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay held on Saturday, July 21st at Maple Lanes Countryside. Last year’s tournament raised over $12,800 to help local families in need through Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay, a total the Blue Jays hope to eclipse in 2018.

The tournament will offer fans and participants the opportunity to bowl with and meet and greet their favorite Dunedin Blue Jays players and coaches, the chance to take home great Blue Jays memorabilia in a raffle and silent auction, and chances to win autographed merchandise, gift certificates, art, and other prizes throughout the event all while supporting a great cause.

Participation in the tournament costs $25 per bowler and includes two games of bowling, shoe rental, food and drink, a ticket to attend that evening’s Dunedin Blue Jays game, and a special participation gift. Individual bowlers and full teams of six are welcome to register. All proceeds from the tournament will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay.

Interested bowlers can find out more information and register for the tournament by visiting www.DunedinBlueJays.com/Bowling. Local businesses interested in being a lane sponsor at the event and having their logo and advertising displayed at the event can visit the same link or contact the Blue Jays at (727)-733-9302 for more information.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.