In addition to the work that Blue Jays players, coaches and staff do within the community, the organization is extremely proud of the Lady Jays and the time and effort they spend making Toronto a better place. Each year the Lady Jays support the following organizations:
On Friday, July 27 the Lady Jays visited the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. The Lady Jays joined several Blue Jays players to interact with young patients while providing support during their stay at the Hospital. Many of the patients at the Hospital are there for long periods of time and the visit was very uplifting for all the children involved.
On Friday, August 31, the Blue Jays made their second visit to the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. During the visit the players and patients participated in a game of wheelchair baseball in the hospital's gymnasium.
On June 15, 16 and 17, the Lady Jays hosted their 28th Annual Food Drive in support of Food Banks Canada. Fans offered their support by bringing non-perishable food items, giving monetary donations and purchasing mystery bags containing an autographed hat for $25.00.
Overall, the Food Drive was a huge success with outstanding support from all who participated. The Jays Care Foundation made a donation of $5,000 which brought the grand total of cash donations to $32,298! In addition to the monetary donations, there was a total 2,681 pounds of non-perishable food collected. The food was shared with Food Banks Canada's local Affiliate Member food bank; the Daily Bread Food Bank. Daily Bread supports approximately 170 member agencies in running different kinds of food relief programs across Toronto. All proceeds went to Food Banks Canada.
Food Banks Canada is made up of ten provincial associations and supports 450 food banks nationally. Their mission is to reduce hunger in Canada by enabling an effective food bank community that addresses the short term need for food and longer term solutions.
On Monday, June 11, 2012 the Lady Jays volunteered at the North York Harvest Food Bank to offer their support before hosting their 28th annual food drive at Rogers Centre the upcoming weekend.
The North York Harvest Food Bank is the primary food bank in northern Toronto, distributing 1.6 million pounds of food in 2011 through 60 community programs. An independent, charitable organization, North York Harvest strives to meet all of the community members food needs. Devoted volunteers sort food on a daily basis and as part of school and group volunteering activities.
Several Lady Jays and Blue Jays Staff toured the facility, were given a rundown of its daily operations, and spent time sorting food bins; a crucial part of the process prior to the foods distribution. Sorting must take place to ensure all food being distributed meets their strict quality and safety standards.
On April 30, 2012 the Sportsnet Charity Broadcast Auction present by TD Canada Trust took place at Rogers Centre where fans from across the country phoned in, bidding on Blue Jays packages containing exclusive experiences and collections of memorabilia.
The Lady Jays were answering the phones and assisting buyers bidding on their various prize packages throughout the baseball game. Together with everyone's support, $116,890 was raised in support of Jays Care Foundation's programs and outreach initiatives.
