BLUE JAYS WORLD SERIES HERO JOE CARTER TO RECEIVE NATIONAL RECOGNITION AT 12TH ANNUAL CHILDREN’S AID FOUNDATION EVENT

120 young people also recognized for their scholastic success, sharing more than $470,000 in scholarships

(TORONTO) The Children’s Aid Foundation presents its 12th Annual Recognition Night this Thursday, September 15 as corporate and individual champions of underprivileged kids nationwide plus 120 outstanding scholarship recipients will acknowledge, recognize and celebrate one another.

In addition to honouring this year’s scholarship winners, the Children’s Aid Foundation is recognizing the valuable support of its individual and corporate donors as well as community leaders coast to coast, including Toronto Blue Jays World Series hero Joe Carter. His Joe Carter Classic Golf Tournament has raised more than $225,000 for the Children’s Aid Foundation to-date, and he will receive a special Guardian Award for his outstanding contributions to the Foundation.

Of the 120 students who will receive scholarships this 2011-2012 academic year, 20 students will also celebrate a recent university or college convocation and receive graduation awards. The students receiving scholarships are crown wards or former crown wards who have shown incredible perseverance, and with little to no family support, have still pursued post-secondary education. Without the assistance of a scholarship provided through the Children’s Aid Foundation, many of these students could not afford to complete their post-secondary education.

Donors of the scholarships presented at Recognition Night include individual men, women and families as well as corporations. The scholarships provide assistance many of these youth need to pursue academic opportunities and achieve their goals.

Also being honoured at the 12th Annual Recognition Night is the co-chair of the Joe Carter Classic Golf Tournament, James Dodds, Associate Vice President, TD Bank Group who will be recognized for his leadership in both fundraising and developing this event into one of Canada’s top celebrity golf tournaments.

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At the same time, the Foundation’s Pioneer Award will be presented to Citi Canada. Receiving it on behalf of the bank will be John Hastings, Chairman & CEO. Since 2004, Citi has sponsored the Foundation’s signature events as well as directly funded several programs that help youth transition to independence with the skills and support they need.

The Children’s Aid Foundation’s 12th Annual Recognition Night takes place Thursday, September 15, 5:00 pm, at the Royal Conservatory, TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning (273 Bloor St. W.)

About the Children’s Aid Foundation

The Children’s Aid Foundation is a national charity dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable Canadian children and youth. Breaking the abuse/poverty cycle, preventing its repetition and providing at-risk youth with the tools to grow into adulthood and build their self-confidence are primary objectives of the Children’s Aid Foundation. Please see www.cafdn.org for more information.

The need is great. Approximately 300,000 Canadian children and youth, or one out of every 25 kids, are in need of child welfare services; 76,000 of them are permanently removed from their homes, placed into foster care, or housed in a residential setting. The Children’s Aid Foundation believes all children deserve to experience the joys of childhood and have the necessary support to reach their potential.

Since 1979, the Children’s Aid Foundation has raised more than $100 million to assist over one million children and youth, helping them to heal after experiencing troubling and challenging situations and providing them with the tools and support they need to grow into the people they were meant to be.

Contact:

Tran Nguyen – 416-628-5607
tnguyen@hccink.com

David Holmes – 416-628-5605
dholmes@hcicink.com