For the 5th Line

Every season, Blue Jackets players, team personalities, staff and season ticket holders invest their time, energy and compassion to assist those in need within our community. This culture of giving and support reflects the values of the Blue Jackets organization, establishes a strong connection between the team and our community and demonstrates how sports transcend the ice, to uplift our communities!

4,700+

VOLUNTEER HOURS BY CBJ PLAYERS, THEIR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS AND STAFF

1,000+

ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED THROUGH IN-KIND DONATIONS

staff volunteer day

180 Staff Volunteer Hours

As part of the Blue Jackets Hockey Is Back campaign to kick off the start of the season, nearly 100 CBJ staff members came together on one day to volunteer 180 hours at four wonderful locations across central Ohio: Columbus Recreation and Parks, Flying Horse Farms, Mid-Ohio Food Collective, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio.

YWCA Playground Dedication

In 2005, YWCA Columbus responded to a community need and took over emergency shelter and services for families experiencing homelessness. Many of these families are hard-working individuals struggling to afford high housing costs, and many are single mothers raising their children alone. The 50-room YWCA Family Center provides a safe and supportive environment to roughly 500 families each year, including over 900 children.

Here, families can enjoy three nutritious meals a day and a secure place to sleep. They also have access to valuable resources for job and housing searches, transportation services, and a childcare program. With a significant investment from the Blue Jackets Foundation, the YWCA Family Center has recently installed a new playground with three different areas to allow children of all ages to have fun.

Community MVP

During #CBJGivesBack Night, the Blue Jackets Foundation honored defenseman Zach Werenski with the 2023-24 Community MVP Award, celebrating the player who best exemplifies service, dedication and leadership. This marks the second time he’s received the award, having been recognized for his contributions during the 2022-23 season as well.

900 individuals hosted by Zach in the Z-Suite

Werenski has showcased his generosity this season by affording more than 900 individuals the opportunity to take in a game often for the first time. An initiative he started last season, Werenski hosted special groups during each home game in his dedicated suite, known as the Z-Suite. The unique experience was extended to kids battling life-threatening illnesses, military members and their families, young people from underserved communities as well as youth hockey players.

Military Appreciation Night
Presented by Elk & Elk

We salute those who have served or are currently serving in the nation’s armed forces during our annual Military Appreciation Night. Before the game, families from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base were treated to a special private skating event on the main ice at Nationwide Arena. Then, several former Blue Jackets players hosted military personnel and civilian employees from the base in a friendly scrimmage. During each home game throughout the season, the Blue Jackets, in collaboration with Elk+Elk, honor and celebrate the men and women who serve our country through Military Salutes.

1780 Tickets Donated

To provide military veterans, active-duty personnel, and their families the opportunity to attend Blue Jackets games and honor their service to our country.

14 Air Force Enlistees

As fourteen enlistees took the oath of enlistment during Military Appreciation Night, it marked the beginning of their service. We are proud to host this significant moment and to support the brave individuals who are stepping up to defend our nation.

image of Laine and Gaurdreau in uniform. image reads Laine and Gaurdreau give back

CBJ Players Give Back

Each season several Blue Jackets players identify causes that are important to them and support these initiatives through their time and financial contributions. Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine announced his continued support of the central Ohio community by lighting the lamp to support men’s mental health awareness. For every point – goals and assists – he scored during the 2023-24 season, Laine donated $1,000 to the OhioHealth Foundation. His teammate Johnny Gaudreau joined the cause, adding his points scored. With the additional support of the 5th Line, more than $48,000 was raised for the OhioHealth Foundation’s men’s mental health services and programs.

firefighter smiling, crouched down giving a little girl candy

First Responders Night

The Blue Jackets are committed to celebrating the amazing efforts of incredible first responders year-round through various initiatives. This included the Columbus Police and Fire Trunk-or-Treat, where first responders created a fun and safe Halloween experience for families. Blue Jackets players like Zach Werenski also play a role in strengthening these ties, engaging personally with local police departments to build personal connections and support community safety. Additionally, on First Responders Night, Jet’s Pizza and the Blue Jackets honored first responders who participated in the After-School All-Stars Mentorship program, which supports students in grades 5-8 from vulnerable neighborhoods, fostering mentorship and trust with public safety professionals.

women in CBJ jerseys and hats, sitting at a table, laughing

Hockey For Her presented by Bread Financial

Hockey For Her is a series of events for our female fans that focus on the various aspects of the game of hockey. Throughout the season, the Blue Jackets offer multiple events providing participants with unique experiences and exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the organization.

CBJ players wearing plastic aprons, packing food

Player Day of Service

Staying true to the team’s spirit of giving back to the community, the Player Day of Service unites Blue Jackets players for a good cause, showcasing our commitment to helping others throughout the year. This year, our players sorted over 990 pounds of pasta for distribution through the Mid-Ohio Food Bank and assisted over 80 families at the Mid-Ohio Market.

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CBJ mascot posing with kids in front of a playground

Stinger Around Town

Our favorite mascot made the rounds in Ohio with 150+ appearances. Stinger’s charitable efforts raised nearly $28,000+ for the Foundation last year through a variety of in-game deliveries and experiences.

Grant partners Highlights

CBJ Mascot posing with girl scouts holding a giant check

Girls Scouts Low Ropes Course

The Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland did research on how to create a unique way to help girls in Central Ohio. The answer the organization came up with…Constructing a low ropes course at the Camp Ken-Jockety STEM immersive campus, a multimillion-dollar project at the Girl Scouts’ day camp outside Columbus. The course will be constructed in Fall 2024 with help from a $92,580 grant from the Blue Jackets Foundation that was generously supported by Columbia Gas. The low ropes course will allow girls to conduct exercises focused on problem-solving, team building, communication, building trust and more.

Man wearing a CBJ cap and shirt, building part of a playground set

CBJ-themed Playground at Ward YMCA

The Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA located on the Near East Side of Columbus is a heavily urban area without a lot of green space. That changed this summer with the Blue Jackets Foundation’s grant of $150,000 to fund an all-abilities CBJ-themed playground. The Ward Family YMCA is the successor to the Spring Street YMCA, one of the first Y locations in the country to serve the Black community, with more than 100 years of service. This project provides a safe space for children in our community to play and create lasting memories. Over two days, CBJ staff, along with Sean Kuraly and Daniil Tarasov, volunteered to help build the playground.