Coronavirus Response

On March 12, the NHL paused the 2019-2020 regular season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After reaching out to a number of grant partners and in response to the common needs for food and cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, soap, etc., The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation held weekly, online auctions to raise money to assist the efforts of local community partners with unique needs during the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, CBJ In-Arena Announcer, Greg Murray, stepped in to raise money for the Foundation by offering Cameo calls to fans. These calls raised over $5,000 for the Foundation’s COVID-19 relief efforts.

The CBJ Foundation hosted several auctions of autographed team memorabilia, raising more than $17,500 to benefit local partners’ Coronavirus relief efforts:

• Community Shelter Board

• YMCA of Central Ohio

• Children’s Hunger Alliance

• Columbus Recreation and Parks Department

• LSS CHOICE for Victims of Domestic Violence

CBJ players Pierre-Luc Dubois and Oliver Bjorkstrand purchased Papa John’s pizza for Kroger employees, while players also made contributions with the Lady Jackets of more than $38,750 to the following organizations:

• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio

• Recreation Unlimited

• Children’s Hunger Alliance

• Salvation Army

• Cam Atkinson Force Network Fund

In addition to the CBJ Foundation’s and players’ fundraising efforts, the Blue Jackets expanded access to our “Hockey in the Classroom” initiatives to provide families with free educational resources in the areas of literacy, STEM and nutrition while schools were closed due to COVID-19. During this time, students collectively spent 2,155+ hours of learning using these resources.

Adopt-A-School Program with Avondale Elementary

The Columbus Blue Jackets ongoing partnership with Avondale Elementary continued to provide meaningful interactions with students and their families. Last year, nearly 100 CBJ staff members took part in the annual pen pal program with the school’s 4th and 5th graders. This involved exchanging letters and an ice-skating field trip at the OhioHealth Ice Haus. The Lady Jackets also visited Avondale to serve breakfast to students and parents during events encouraging parental involvement at their child’s school. 

350+ students and their families participated

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Visit

Blue Jackets players, team personalities and Stinger often give their time, attention and care when making special trips to visit hospitalized kids and distribute CBJ Courage Kits presented by Boich Companies.

Player Day of Service presented by Kroger

This year, Columbus Blue Jackets players participated in an afternoon of giving back to the local community by performing volunteer work at Mid-Ohio Foodbank, where 4,364 pounds of donations were sorted for delivery to those in need.

50/50 Raffle presented by KEMBA Financial Credit Union

During every home game, the CBJ Foundation held a 50/50 raffle as a fundraising vehicle for multiple central Ohio nonprofit organizations.

$285,000+ raised for the community

Military Appreciation Night presented by Elk + Elk

The Columbus Blue Jackets salute those who have served or are currently serving in the nation’s armed forces during the club’s annual Military Appreciation Night. To show support and gratitude for all active and retired service members, the Blue Jackets players wear specifically designed camouflage-style jerseys during pregame warm-ups. This year, fans participated in a game-night collection of personal care items that were used to stock central Ohio USO lounges servicing military personnel and their families. 

750+ tickets donated to military veterans, personnel and their families

45,000+ personal-care items donated to the USO lounges

Atkinson’s Support for the Military

CBJ forward #13 Cam Atkinson, who co-founded Force Network Fund to support military members and first responders, adopted Central Ohio military families over the holidays and provided gifts for each member of the family. Additionally, Atkinson and his wife, Natalie, donated $5,013 to each of the following charities:

• Fallen 15

• Operation Military Kids of Ohio

• The USO of Central & Southern Ohio

$15,000+ donated

Savard’s Stache

This past November, defenseman David Savard teamed up with North High Brewing to help raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues.

$2,047 raised for Movember

Salvation Army Toy Drive/Christmas Cheer 

The Blue Jackets supported The Big 10TV Toy Drive to collect toys for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Cheer program, which makes holiday gifts possible for families in need. In addition to an in-game toy collection, CBJ staff and Lady Jackets volunteered at the Christmas Cheer toy distribution. 

8,729+ toys collected 

Hockey for Her presented by Meyers Jewelers

The annual Blue Jackets Hockey for Her presented by Meyers Jewelers is an opportunity for our female fans to get an inside look at the Blue Jackets organization while learning more about the sport of hockey. Attendees of this event had the opportunity to take a shot on net with on-ice instruction from U.S. Olympians Lisa Chesson and Bri McLaughlin, get a behind the scenes tour from CBJ broadcasters, and heard from the NHL referees and linesmen working the game that evening.  

175 women attended

Hockey Is For Everyone Month presented by Vorys

This past February, the Blue Jackets joined the NHL to celebrate Hockey Is For Everyone presented by Vorys. In addition to the programming that the Columbus Blue Jackets execute on a regular basis, the month-long celebration focused on inclusion in the sport by hosting a variety of on-ice and off-ice clinics, STEM-focused school field trips and game-day activities intended to recognize and celebrate diversity and inclusion in hockey. The Blue Jackets support any teammate, coach or fan who brings heart, energy and passion to the rink. #HockeyIsForEveryone  

3,000+ kids participated

NHL Green Month presented by ADS

The Columbus Blue Jackets joined the National Hockey League in March in support of NHL Green presented by ADS. Throughout the month, the CBJ Foundation auctioned one-of-a-kind recycled hockey-themed items such as used skates, gloves and sticks, as well as items made from broken sticks, rink glass and recycled jerseys and socks. In an effort to eliminate financial barriers to playing hockey, the CBJ Foundation also hosts an annual sale at an OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rink to offer gently-used equipment at affordable prices. All proceeds are reinvested in the local youth hockey community.

1,750+ pieces of equipment were collected raising $8,500+ for the CBJ Foundation

Stinger Around Town

Our favorite mascot made the rounds in Ohio reaching over 15,000 people across his 231 appearances. Stinger’s charitable efforts raised over $27,500 for the CBJ Foundation this year through a variety of in-game deliveries and experiences.

Community MVP Award

The Columbus Blue Jackets presented Boone Jenner with the 2019-20 Community MVP Award. This award recognizes the player who best exemplifies service, dedication and leadership. This is the first time he has received the award. To mark the selection, the CBJ Foundation has made a $1,000 donation in Boone’s name to the Janis Foligno Foundation as well as the Force Network Fund.

Golf Classic presented by Plante Moran

One of the CBJ Foundation’s largest annual fundraisers, the Golf Classic, benefits the mission of supporting youth health and wellness. The event is staged at the renowned Double Eagle Club where each foursome enjoys a once-in-a-lifetime round of golf with a Blue Jackets celebrity, an exclusive gift package, a lunch program to draft the foursome’s celebrity golfer and a dinner program where winners are announced and presented the CBJ Foundation Cup.

$275,000 raised for Blue Jackets Foundation programs

The CannonBall presented by Quantum Health and Bartha

At this year’s annual fundraising event, guests joined us for an unforgettable night to benefit children in central Ohio. Guests interacted with Blue Jackets players, management and club personalities, while also getting a chance to hear about the team’s ongoing community involvement and future efforts.

$525,000 raised for Blue Jackets Foundation programs