Joe Carter tees up all-star team in support of the Children's Aid Foundation

The first annual Joe Carter and Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament to run on June 23, 2010 in Toronto, with proceeds going to the Children's Aid Foundation

TORONTO, April 26 /CNW/ - Retired Toronto Blue Jay, five-time Major League Baseball All-Star and two-time World Series champion, Joe Carter is back in the city he calls his second home. Joined by more than 20 friends from the worlds of sport and entertainment, Carter has chosen Toronto as the location for the first annual Joe Carter and Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament. The event will raise awareness and funds for the Children's Aid Foundation.

On June 23, 2010, corporate-sponsored participants will have the opportunity to join a celebrity-led foursome at Eagles Nest Golf Club. Through a scramble-format tournament, they will test their skills on a closed course against some of the world's best athletes and well-known actors. The day will conclude with a gourmet sit-down dinner, including a raffle and silent auction.

A selection of celebrities who have confirmed their participation along with Joe Carter, include:

    
    -  Charles Barkley, retired NBA All-Star and MVP forward, and Emmy award-
       winning NBA colour commentator
    -  Ray Bourque, retired NHL Hall of Famer and Stanley Cup champion who
       holds the records for most goals, assists and points by a defenceman
    -  Jamaal Magloire, NBA All-Star centre with the Miami Heat
    -  Ozzie Smith, retired MLB shortstop, World Series champion and Hall of
       Fame inductee
    -  Devon White, retired Toronto Blue Jay and World Series champion centre
       fielder
    

For a current list of participating world-famous athletes and actors, please go to the Joe Carter and Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament website (see below), which will be continually updated in real time.

"Having worked with the Children's Aid Foundation for many years on and off the field, I wanted to create a star-powered event that would echo the organization's incredible efforts with abused, neglected, and at risk children and youth," said Carter. "The day wouldn't be possible without donations from my amazing friends and generous funding from our sponsors, including our presenting sponsors, TD Bank Financial Group and TSN; and supporting sponsors: Labatt, the Toronto Star, Salida Capital, Gatorade and Aquafina."

"We're thrilled to work with Joe again," said Ann Barnard Ball, executive director of the Children's Aid Foundation. "His positive spirit and generosity epitomize the type of role model today's troubled children and youth need. We're extremely grateful for his support and to all of the participating celebrities and sponsors."

Money raised from the tournament will be exclusively through the sale of sponsorship packages. Only 15% of sponsorship opportunities remain available. If you are interested in participating in the tournament, please contact organizers through the event website: http://www.joecarterandfriendsgolf.com/

    
    Confirmed sponsors for the tournament include:

    Amourvis Inc.                      Labatt
    Aquafina                           Lug
    Bennett Jones LLP                  Marcatus QED Ltd.
    Diesel Jeans                       Medcan Clinic
    Eagles Nest Golf Club              Ogilvy Renault LLP
    Famous Folks                       Quagmire Golf
    Frozen Pond Inc.                   Salida Capital
    Gatorade                           TD Bank Financial Group
    Golf Client Services               The Hazelton Hotel
    J.F. Moore Communications          The Toronto Star
    Jolera Inc.                        TSN
    

About Joe Carter and Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament

Beginning in 2010, the Joe Carter and Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament will raise funds annually for the Children's Aid Foundation. Our goal is to deliver a fun and unique golf event that provides our guests an opportunity to network, play golf and mingle with many of the top athletes in the world, while raising important awareness and funding for the Children's Aid Foundation.

For more information, visit http://www.joecarterandfriendsgolf.com/

About the Children's Aid Foundation

The Children's Aid Foundation is a national charity committed to improving the lives of abused, neglected, and at risk children and youth across Canada. Focusing on a three-pronged approach, the Foundation supports child welfare organizations in three critical areas: prevention, enrichment, and education. With a separate endowment that covers administrative expenses, 100% of all donations are used directly to help the Children's Aid Foundation fund programs for children and youth in need. Over the last 30 years, the Foundation has raised over $100 million dollars and touched the lives of more than one million children and youth.

For more information, visit http://www.cafdn.org/

For further information: For media inquiries, please contact Stephen Hewitt, TD Bank Financial Group, [phone], [email protected] or Nancy Vye, TD Bank Financial Group, [phone], [email protected]