Jays Care donates $250,000 to Hurricane Fiona relief efforts

Photo: Jays Care Foundation

November 2, 2022

Official Jays Care News Release

Jays Care Foundation, the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays, is committed to stepping up for Canadians in times of need. As Hurricane Fiona relief efforts continue, Jays Care has donated $250,000 to the Canadian Red Cross’s Hurricane Fiona in Canada Appeal to support community recovery in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec. The donation was matched dollar-for-dollar by the Government of Canada, bringing the total donation amount to $500,000.

“Hurricane Fiona has had a devastating impact on the families of Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec, and Jays Care Foundation is proud to support these families in the rebuilding process,” said Robert Witchel, Executive Director, Jays Care Foundation. “We hope this funding will help people recover as quickly as possible and allow impacted communities to return to playing, connecting, and learning.”

Jays Care has a long-standing history in Atlantic Canada. This year, more than 5,800 children and youth across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador have taken part in the foundation’s play-based programming. Through its Field Of Dreams program, Jays Care has invested more than $1.8 million to build and refurbish baseball diamonds in 18 communities across the region. A number of these diamonds were damaged by the hurricane, and Jays Care has set aside additional funding and resources to assist in their repair.

“The Government of Canada is proud to match this generous donation from the Jays Care Foundation, an organization with a long history of supporting Canadians,” said The Hon. Bill Blair, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness. “The funding raised through the Canadian Red Cross Hurricane Fiona in Canada Appeal has directly supported communities in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec throughout the immediate recovery from Hurricane Fiona, including with interim housing, clothing, food, and other essential supplies for those in need. Thank you to everyone who donated to this campaign in service of their fellow Canadians.”