Honda and the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate Canada Day at Rogers Centre in Support Of Make-A-Wish® Canada

Three lucky fans round home with great Honda prize packs, including a 2013 Honda Civic, CBR600RRA Motorcycle and Lawn Care Package

MARKHAM, ON, July 2, 2013 /CNW/ - Yesterday, spirited Toronto Blue Jays^TM fans packed the sold out Rogers Centre for Canada Day Presented by Honda Canada.  Professional Indy Car driver and Make-A-Wish® Canada ambassador Alex Tagliani helped kick off the celebrations by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch of the game against Detroit.

Other pre-game activities included a cheque presentation by Jerry Chenkin, Honda Canada, Richard Bellm and Peter Johnson, Ontario Honda Dealers Association and Mark Ditmars, Toronto Blue Jays, to Jennifer Ritter of Make-A-Wish Canada, with a $15,000 donation.

"Along with millions of people across the country, Honda is proud to celebrate what it means to be Canadian," said Jerry Chenkin, President and CEO of Honda Canada Inc. "It gives us great pleasure to support an organization like Make-A-Wish Canada, which has had such a profound impact on the lives of so many Canadian families."

"The kind generosity of our partners allows Make-A-Wish in continuing our mission to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions," said Jennifer Ritter, CEO of Make-A-Wish Canada.

Since 2010, Honda Canada and the Ontario Honda Dealers Association (OHDA) have helped raise more than $200,000 dollars in support of Make-A-Wish Canada. For the fourth consecutive year, the OHDA will sponsor Fan Friday at the Honda Indy Toronto on July 12, covering the cost of admission for all who attend. While admission is free, attendees will be encouraged to make donations to support Make-A-Wish.

"The work by Make-A-Wish Canada enriches the lives of so many families, including those in communities across Ontario, where Honda dealers work and live," said Richard Bellm, Ontario Honda Dealers Association. "By donating to the Canada Day celebration and covering the cost of admission to the Honda Indy Toronto on Fan Friday, the OHDA is proud to assist in the efforts to bring hope and joy to Canadian families."

In addition to the donation, Honda Canada sent three lucky fans home with big prizes.

Carlos Funes from Pickering, Ontario won a Canadian-made 2013 Honda Civic sedan, while Carol Stephens-Lewis of Barrie, Ontario became the proud new owner of a Honda CBR600RRA and riding lessons to help get on the road. Second runner up, Erin Hendricks of Carrying Place, Ontario, walked away with a Lawn Care Package including trimmer, tiller and mower, just in time to make that summer lawn look immaculate.

About the Ontario Honda Dealers Association
The Ontario Honda Dealers Association, which was founded in 1989, represents 77 Honda dealers located in 62 communities throughout Ontario, which is home to the two Honda of Canada Mfg. assembly plants that produce Civic, Canada's best-selling passenger car for 15 consecutive years, in addition to the CR-V. The 77 Honda dealerships in Ontario, which have a proven track record for providing maximum customer satisfaction, employ approximately 3,000 associates.

About Make-A-Wish^® Canada
Make-A-Wish Canada is a dynamic wish-granting organization that brings hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Along with the national office, eight (8) regional chapters grant magical wishes to children in need from coast-to-coast.  This year, Make-A-Wish Canada is celebrating its 30^th anniversary and the granting of more than 5,000 wishes to children in need.  Make-A-Wish Canada is an affiliate of Make-A-Wish^® International. Make-A-Wish is the largest wish-granting organization in the world, making dreams and wishes come true for more than 300,000 children since 1980. For more information please visit www.makeawish.ca.

About Honda Canada
Honda Canada Inc. was founded in 1969. It has produced more than 6 million cars and trucks since 1986 at its two manufacturing facilities and builds engines at a third manufacturing plant in Alliston, Ontario, where the Honda Civic and CR-V, Acura MDX and ZDX models are manufactured.  Honda Canada has invested more than $2.6 billion in Canada and each year it sources nearly $1.1 billion in goods and services from Canadian suppliers. Honda Canada has sold more than 3.7 million Honda and Acura passenger cars and light-duty trucks in Canada.

™TORONTO BLUE JAYS and all related marks and designs are trademarks and/or copyright of Rogers Blue Jays Baseball Partnership ("RBJBP").  © RBJBP 2013.

Image with caption: "Spirited Toronto Blue Jays(TM) fans packed the sold out Rogers Centre for Canada Day Presented by Honda Canada, as Make-A-Wish® Canada was presented with a $15,000 donation from Honda Canada, the Ontario Honda Dealers Association and the Toronto Blue Jays. (CNW Group/Honda Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130702_C4839_PHOTO_EN_28690.jpg

SOURCE: Honda Canada Inc.

For further information:

Laura Heasman [phone]
Alen Sadeh [phone]