Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation announces $1.1 million grant

The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation announced this evening the donation of $1,100,000 awarded to local charitable and youth hockey organizations for the current grant cycle, marking the third year in a row that annual community reinvestment topped $1 million. This year's grants push the Foundation's cumulative support of youth health and wellness initiatives in central Ohio to $10.4 million since its inception in 2000.
Building upon its commitment to promote fitness through play, the Foundation announced funding for three new Blue Jackets-themed playgrounds. The City of Bexley Recreation and Parks Department will open their playground in Schneider Park. A grant to LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence (CHOICES) will allow for its new playground to expand the recreation opportunities for families staying at CHOICES' new shelter. Lastly, a CBJ playground will be built at Maryhaven Columbus' newly renovated women's center that keeps children with mothers who are receiving rehabilitative treatment.

During a pregame reception this evening, the Blue Jackets Foundation also announced grants that were awarded to 37 other central Ohio nonprofit organizations. To complement the playground partners above, additional grants to organizations that serve health and safety initiatives include: Columbus Recreation and Parks, Columbus Recreation and Parks Foundation and KidSMILES Pediatric Dental Clinic.
New partners in the areas of reading, literacy and education include: Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center, Columbus Early Learning Centers, Marburn Academy, Thurber House and Ruling Our Experiences, Inc. (ROX).
The foundation also continues grant partnerships with the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation, Junior Achievement of Central Ohio, YMCA of Central Ohio and Community Shelter Board.
Grant recipients that support pediatric cancer programs include: Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, Flashes of Hope - Columbus, Flying Horse Farms, Make-A-Wish Ohio Kentucky and Indiana, A Kid Again, Cancer Support Community of Central Ohio and Nellie's Champions for Kids (NC4K).
Furthering the commitment to grow youth and amateur hockey and remove barriers to playing the game, the Foundation has awarded grants to 12 local hockey associations that include traditional programs, sled hockey, girls' hockey, and Special Hockey for individuals with developmental disabilities. Grants were also given to grow street hockey programs through the City of Westerville and YMCA of Central Ohio. Additional grants were awarded to Simon Kenton Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Gliding Stars and After-School All-Stars to support their respective hockey initiatives.
As the charitable arm of the National Hockey League club, the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation leverages its unique resources - players, coaches, staff and fans - to partner with and invest in central Ohio charities. For more information, visit
www.BlueJackets.com/community
.