On Wednesday, May 18, during Sportsnet's national broadcast of the Toronto Blue Jays vs. Tampa Bay Rays game, Blue Jays fans were given the opportunity to support Jays Care Foundation by participating in the 8th Annual Jays Care Broadcast Auction presented by TD.
The annual auction, hosted by Sportsnet's Evanka Osmak and made possible by the support of technology sponsor Acer, provided Blue Jays fans with the opportunity to place their bids on unique and unprecedented Blue Jays prizes and experiences. In the course of just over two hours, $268,000 was raised to support Jays Care programming from coast to coast.
Thirteen exclusive Blue Jays prizes and experiences were auctioned, including the opportunity to play baseball on the new Rogers Centre field, an interactive shoe-design experience with pitchers Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez, and the chance to follow the Blue Jays on the road for series in New York and Chicago. Fans were also given the opportunity to purchase Fan Packs for $75 and $125 and encouraged to make a direct donation to the Foundation.
"Partnering with Sportsnet, TD, Acer, our players and alumni, and our other fantastic partners for this annual event has been incredibly positive for Jays Care and for the children with whom we work," said Robert Witchel, Executive Director, Jays Care Foundation. "The funds raised from yesterday's event will help Jays Care reduce the opportunity gap for children and youth across Canada."
The 8th annual Sportsnet Charity Broadcast Auction was made possible through generous contributions from presenting sponsor TD, technology sponsor Acer, Sportsnet, WestJet, Private Air, NikeID and host, Evanka Osmak.