BC Business
Rob Fai, Vancouver Canadians director of communications and broadcaster; Jeff Holloway, Vancouver Canadians director of community relations; J.C. Fraser, Vancouver Canadians GM; and Ian McLean, Challenger Baseball Canada national coordinator
There was a sold-out crowd of 500 guests at the Vancouver Canadians Hot Stove lunch at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Friday, January 29. The Canadians are Canada’s only minor league baseball team and an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Rob Fai, director of communications and broadcaster for the Canadians, emceed the event, introducing the team’s co-owners, Jake Kerr and Jeff Mooney, and Scotiabank VP Rob Wilkins. Mooney presented young players with coveted Canadians baseball bags containing a jersey, batting helmet and glove. A cheque for $20,000 was awarded for Challenger Baseball, B.C.’s first and only permanent baseball field where children with physical and cognitive challenges can play baseball.
Fans were also treated to interviews with Ross Atkins, Toronto Blue Jays EVP, baseball operations and GM; Dalton Pompey, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder; and Tim Raines, former Expo great and current Blue Jays running coordinator.
The event’s silent auction raised more than $10,000 with full proceeds going to the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation, Last year’s event raised a total of more than $180,000 to help more than 300 children develop their skills for both baseball and life through the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Coast BC and Challenger Baseball.