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BGC Red Deer & District gets Jays Care funding for day camps

Jul 14, 2021 | 3:10 PM

The Toronto Blue Jays, through its Jays Care Foundation, are giving $885,000 to support the Rookie League program and day camps through BGC Clubs (formerly Boys and Girls Club).

A portion of that money will support several Alberta BGC centres, including Red Deer & District and Stettler & District.

The Rookie League program is a best-in-class summer camp for kids between the ages of 4-15, and runs in 58 communities across nine provinces. It’s expected to garner more than 12,000 participants.

In Red Deer and area, the grant helps bring down the cost of day camps across the board, some of which will include baseball-specific activities.

“This summer, we are incredibly excited that thousands of kids will be able to safely return to camp at 58 BGC Clubs across the country,” said Robert Witchel, Executive Director, Jays Care Foundation. “We are thankful to our partners at Rogers for making this program possible and are thrilled to continue a legacy of supporting summer programming for Canadian children and youth at BGC Clubs.”

Adds Owen Charters, BGC Canada President & CEO: “Jays Care Foundation has offered incredible support throughout the pandemic, including resources and training to help our Clubs transition to virtual. As restrictions begin to lift, we are thrilled that Jays Care and Rogers are providing funding so thousands of kids across the country can once again connect in-person with trusted Club staff and councillors and take part in summer activities that boost their physical and mental health.”

Registration for Red Deer is available at youthhq.ca, and at stettler.bgccan.com for Stettler.