MLSE Team Up Challenge Reaches One Million Dollar Milestone

MLSE Foundation's annual tri-sport tournament raises funds for Camp Trillium

TORONTO, Feb. 29, 2016 CNW/ - MLSE Foundation is proud to announce that the MLSE Team Up Challenge presented by Ford & Your Toronto Area Ford Dealers has reached the $1 million milestone of funds raised for Camp Trillium. MLSE Foundation Executive Director Michael Bartlett, Camp Trillium Executive Director Marci Shea-Perry and Toronto FC alumni Dwayne De Rosario and Steven Caldwell will be joined by event sponsors, participants and supporters at a private event Tuesday evening at The Keg Mansion. Courtesy of The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, an MLSE Team Up Challenge associate sponsor, guests will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with Keg favourite appetizers to celebrate this milestone.

The MLSE Team Up Challenge presented by Ford & Your Toronto Area Ford Dealers and MLSE Foundation is an annual fundraising event that sees teams of 10 compete in basketball, ball hockey and soccer to raise funds to support Camp Trillium. This year's event is set to take place on Sunday, June 12 at Downsview Park. With the help from MLSE Foundation, Camp Trillium gives kids living with cancer and their families the opportunity to dream big through sports and recreational programming.

"MLSE Foundation is thrilled about this milestone and to be partnered with Camp Trillium, an organization that does such great work for kids living with cancer and their families," said Michael Bartlett, Executive Director, MLSE Foundation. "Thanks to our sponsors and the fundraising efforts of hundreds of MLSE Team Up Challenge participants since the inaugural event in 2013, 250 children with cancer and their families have had the opportunity to experience a week at Camp Trillium."

Each year across Ontario nearly 400 parents will learn that their children have cancer. Only one place offers recreational experiences to kids living with cancer, their siblings and parents, so all together they can heal and have fun. Camp Trillium provides more than 50 year round camping and recreational programs in the community, around the province and at their two campsites operating in Waterford and Picton. With a minimum fundraising goal of $5,000, every MLSE Team Up Challenge team will have the opportunity to send at least one family from the Greater Toronto Area to camp.

"The partnership that Camp Trillium and the MLSE Foundation has ensured that Camp Trillium is able to provide camping and recreational programs for every family living with childhood cancer in Toronto and surrounding areas," said Marci Shea-Perry, Executive Director, Camp Trillium. Every child diagnosed with cancer has a special place to go to camp year round because of the support of the MLSE Team Up Challenge."

To learn more about the MLSE Team Up Challenge and how to register, please visit http://www.mlseteamupchallenge.com/.

About MLSE Foundation
The MLSE Foundation believes all kids should have access to sport and the opportunity to develop lasting dreams on the playing field. With the support of MLSE's teams, the Foundation funds the refurbishment of local athletic facilities and programs that support kids through sport and recreation. Since launching in December 2009, the MLSE Foundation has invested more than $19 million into our community. For more information visit mlseteamupfoundation.org or follow @MLSEFoundation.

SOURCE MLSE Foundation

Media Contact: Melissa Perri, MLSE, 416-815-5524, [email protected]