Blue Jays donate $50K to Victoria’s Lambrick Park baseball programs 

Victoria’s baseball community is about to get some huge assistance from Canada’s favourite major league team.

The Toronto Blue Jays and the Jays Care Foundation have announced that they will donate $50,000 to the Lambrick Park Baseball and Softball Academy to support a new scholarship program.

This scholarship is designed to allow deserving baseball and softball players who have the skills to compete but face financial barriers to participate in baseball and softball programming, a Blue Jays media release stated.

Lambrick Park Secondary School was chosen to receive the funds by Victoria’s own Blue Jays alumnus Michael Saunders, who was a student of the school and a former Gordon Head little league player.

“There’s a lot of great talent in BC and all kids deserve the same opportunities to develop,” said Saunders.

“When Jays care came to me with this amazing donation opportunity, I knew I wanted to support my hometown and give kids in the community the same opportunities I had. I know this initiative will go a long way in supporting homegrown Canadian talent.”

The donation comes as part of the Jays Care Foundation’s First Pitch Fund, and is one of six youth baseball organizations across the country to receive a donation to help grow the game of baseball in Canada.

The team is donating a total of $300,000 to organizations across Canada in celebration of Canada Day and the team’s 50th season.

“At Jays Care, we’re committed to growing the game across the country, building life-long fans, and ensuring young Canadians have access to meaningful opportunities through baseball,” said Peter King, executive director of the Jays Care Foundation.

“Celebrating Canada Day in our 50th season alongside Canadian Blue Jays alumni makes this donation especially meaningful, as we champion organizations inspiring the next generation of baseball players from coast-to-coast-to-coast.”

Five other Canadian Blue Jays alumni selected an organization that holds personal significance to them alongside Saunders, and each will receive a $50,000 to put towards that cause.