Rounding the bases in Indigenous communities, growing $100,000 jackpot supports Indigenous Rookie League program

To mark National Indigenous History Month, Jays Care Foundation is hosting a special 50/50 draw to support  its Indigenous Rookie League baseball summer camps for youth, provided by Indigenous communities this year in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and the Northwest Territories.  Proceeds will also support programs for residential school survivors.

Jays Care works with Indigenous communities across Canada to create inclusive programs that promote the health and well-being of children, youth and families. Indigenous Rookie League engages children and youth through inter-generational events and tournaments that involve Elders, partners and community leadership.

“The Rookie League program, developed in partnership between the Kenora Chiefs Advisory and Jays Care, has had a dramatically positive impact on our entire community, not just the youth. Rooted in Indigenous culture, tradition and ceremony, Rookie League is a true community-builder, bringing together Elders and youth and everyone in between to promote mental health, healing and reconciliation. Recognized by the Assembly of First Nations, the program has expanded into other treaty areas and our dream is the establishment of a National Indigenous Rookie League.”

– Chief Lorraine Cobiness, Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation

Running through Sunday, June 27, all funds raised through this special 50/50 draw will be split between organizations supporting healing for residential school survivors and Jays Care programming for Indigenous youth.

Ontario fans aged 18+ can get their tickets at bluejays.com/5050. The take-home jackpot has reached $100,000… and is growing fast!  Here’s how you can make a difference in a kid’s life with just one ticket purchase:

• A $100 ticket will provide a child with a jersey and the chance to play on an Indigenous Rookie League team
• Every ticket provides a donation to organizations supporting healing for residential school survivors, including Talk4Healing and the National Association of Friendship Centres

Jays Care Foundation is the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays. As Jays Care’s largest funding partner, Rogers has provided more than $10 million to the foundation’s youth programs over the last decade, a longstanding partnership which has supported Rookie League and virtual summer camps, built and refurbished Canadian baseball diamonds as part of Field Of Dreams, and awarded nearly 80 Ted Rogers Scholarships for Jays Care-nominated youth since 2017.