To date, this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation have supported more than 580 community organizations. In addition, 350+ schools in central Ohio participated in the club's no-cost hockey-themed education resources and nearly 60,000 boys and girls were provided the opportunity to try hockey for the first time through no or low-cost sticks in hands programs offered by the Blue Jackets. Since the team's inception in 2000, the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation has invested more than $13 million in grants to organizations serving central Ohio youth in the areas of pediatric cancer, reading, fitness through play and the growth and development of youth hockey.
#CBJGivesBacks Night will recognize a trio of season-long partner programs that pledge charitable donations based on player and team performance benchmarks. Check presentations will be made to the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation from the Worthington Industries & Cleveland-Cliffs Community Assist platform ($100 per assist) and Advance Drainage Systems' Between the Pipes platform that pledges a $5 donation for every regulation save (and $10 for shootout save) made by Blue Jackets goaltenders. This season to date, Worthington Industries and Cleveland-Cliffs have donated $13,900 to the Foundation and Advanced Drainage Systems has donated $10,770 to the Foundation.
"Worthington Industries is proud to join the Blue Jackets in celebrating the tremendous impact they continue to have on our community," said Worthington Industries Vice President of Corporate Communications Sonya Higginbotham. "At Worthington, we believe in building better communities where we live and work, and we applaud the Blue Jackets for their efforts toward that shared commitment."
The Blue Jackets will also recognize the winners of the High School Hockey and John H. McConnell Scholarships awarded by the Blue Jackets Foundation. The High School Hockey Scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior who wishes to further their education beyond high school and has excelled in their commitment to hockey, in their leadership, and in their academic and extracurricular activities. This year's winner is Addyson Eckstein, a Hilliard Bradley High School senior pursuing a degree in Pre-Veterinary Medicine at Otterbein University. Eckstein has played hockey for nine years, is a current member of the Hilliard Hockey Club and serves as a referee for youth hockey.
The John H. McConnell Scholarship was created in 2008 to provide one local high school senior a $10,000 scholarship in honor of the life and legacy of the team's late founder, John H. McConnell. This year's winner is Selin Boztepe, a Groveport Madison High School senior planning on Marketing and Spanish at Ohio State University. In addition to being passionate about Blue Jackets hockey, Boztepe is active in extracurriculars including DECA, Student Council, Spanish Club, Key Club and more.
The evening will feature unique fundraisers to benefit the Blue Jackets Foundation and its mission to support the health and wellness of children in central Ohio. Follow @CBJGIVESBACK on social media for the latest announcements regarding auctions, raffles and merchandise.
The Blue Jackets return to action tonight when they visit the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. Game time is set for 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on Bally Sports Ohio begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m. The game can also be heard on the Blue Jackets Radio Network, including Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan in Columbus, and online at BlueJackets.com.
