Media Advisory - Jays Care Foundation partners with YMCA of Greater Toronto
providing opportunities for local youth

Centrefielder No.10, Vernon Wells , will speak to youth in sports leadership program and test out games in newly opened Youth Zone at Scarborough YMCA

TORONTO , Dec. 14 /CNW/ -

    
    MEDIA CALL:
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    WHAT:  Meet and greet with Vernon Wells to kick-off YMCA of Greater
           Toronto's Youth Sports Leadership program and visit the new Youth
           Zone sponsored by Jays Care Foundation.

    WHO:   Media interviews and photo opportunities available with:
           -  Vernon Wells, Toronto Blue Jays
           -  Danielle Silverstein, Executive Director, Jays Care Foundation
           -  Lesley Davidson, Senior Vice President, YMCA Health, Fitness
              and Recreation
           -  Mehdi Zobeiry, YMCA General Manager, Scarbrough YMCA
           -  Scarborough youth benefiting from the programs and facility

    WHERE: Scarborough YMCA Health, Fitness and Recreation Centre
           230 Town Centre Court

    WHEN:  Wednesday, December 16, 2009
           4:30pm

    WHY:   -  Jays Care Foundation has provided $112,000 in financial support
              to the YMCA of Greater Toronto through its Field of Dreams
              capital projects funding program to create baseball-specific
              programming opportunities at all eight YMCAs in the Greater
              Toronto Area for the first time ever through the Youth Sports
              Leadership Corps curriculum. In addition, funding was directed
              to support the development of the "Youth Zone" at the
              Scarborough YMCA to provide a safe place for children and youth
              to get healthy, fun physical activity and educational
              opportunities. The Youth Zone was opened for use by the
              Scarborough community on November 17.

    Media interested in obtaining more information can contact:
    Toronto Blue Jays Communications Department at [phone]/03.
    

About Jays Care Foundation

Since 1992, Jays Care Foundation has been empowering children and youth in need, inspiring them to make positive choices and helping them realize their dreams by providing access to programs that support physical activity, education, and life-skill development. The funds raised by Jays Care Foundation are committed to initiatives and programs that improve the lives of kids in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond, including: encouraging kids to get physically active through youth baseball initiatives; providing grants to local charities serving children in need; funding capital projects that create safe youth spaces where kids can play, learn, and grow; and partnering to provide important educational opportunities for at-risk youth.

For further information: about Jays Care Foundation, visit www.bluejays.com/jayscare or call [phone]