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The Toronto Blue Jays, Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Jays Care Foundation presented a $50,000 cheque to The Challenger Baseball program at Scarborough\u2019s Variety Village on Friday, Oct. 24. Among those on hand for the Fall Classic Legacy Initiative presentation were a number of former MLB players including Kevin Pillar, of the Blue Jays; Adam Jones; Nick Swisher; Jason Kendall; Justin Upton; Jeremy Guthrie and Michael Bourn. Photo by Julia Sawicki.<\/p>\n
By JULIA SAWICKI<\/p>\n
The Toronto Blue Jays, Major League Baseball (MLB), and the Jays Care Foundation teamed up to support Scarborough\u2019s Variety Village and present the 2025 Fall Classic Legacy Initiative, a philanthropic program that gives back to host cities of the World Series, at a special celebration held today.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Friday, Oct. 24, event commemorated a donation of $50,000 into Variety Village Challenger Baseball program, bringing together athletes, spectators and fans for a day of celebration.<\/p>\n
The main speakers at the celebration held at Variety Village on Danforth Avenue were April Brown, Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility for the MLB; Peter King, Executive Director of the Jays Care Foundation; Charlie Johnstone, President and Chief Executive Officer at Variety Village; and former Toronto Blue Jays player Kevin Pillar.<\/p>\n
Former MLB players and all-stars Adam Jones, Nick Swisher, Jason Kendall, Justin Upton, Jeremy Guthrie and Michael Bourn were also at the presentation to show their support for the legacy initiative.<\/p>\n
\u201cMajor League Baseball, together with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Jays Care Foundation, have this special opportunity to be off the field using the power of our sport to give back and celebrate youth and adults who love our game,\u201d said Brown.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is our core value to support programs and environments built on acceptance, belonging and inclusion, so that every person can thrive, and so that every young person can have access to our game.\u201d<\/p>\n
King discussed the Jays Care nationwide impact, noting its reach to more than 78,000 individuals.<\/p>\n
Jays Care works to provide physical activity, and equitable access, creating stronger community bonds, and a continued love of sport. The Challenger Baseball program itself engages more than 17,000 athletes a year, while the partnership with Variety Village has gone beyond individual programs, and has created a relationship built on inclusion, accessibility, and a love of fitness for young people of all abilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith today\u2019s foundation of $50,000 from Major League Baseball, The Jays and Jays Care, Variety Village will be able to continue Challenger Baseball programming year-round, and continue making a significant, positive impact on people\u2019s lives,\u201d said King.<\/p>\n
\u201cChallenger Baseball gives participants of all abilities, in particular those with physical and developmental challenges, the chance to develop confidence, build resilience, learn a new skill and most importantly form lasting friendship through shared experiences,\u201d added Johnstone. \u201cWe\u2019re proud to help grow this vital program in our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jays Care and Challenger Baseball youth ambassador Cole Kenedi faced off and triumphed against Pillar in a round of Blue Jays trivia before helping present the donation cheque.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The celebration concluded with a \u201cWorld Series Game\u201d experience in which Challenger Baseball athletes showcased their skills to friends, family and guests, complete with big league hallmarks and lots of dancing by Ace, the Blue Jays mascot.<\/p>\n
For more information on Variety Village and its work, please visit https:\/\/www.varietyvillage.ca\/<\/a><\/p>\n