John Tavares Foundation donates $37,500 to PIE Education backpack program

By ARJUN B

Modified Aug 08, 2024 05:27 GMT

The John Tavares Foundation, founded by Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares and his wife Aryne in 2020, donated $37,500 to the PIE Education backpack program for 2024. The donation will supply 1,500 backpacks packed with school supplies for students in need across various parts of Toronto.

The news was shared through a post on the John Tavares Foundation Instagram account, saying:

"We are thrilled to share that the John Tavares Foundation has donated $37,500 to the PIE Education backpack program for 2024!"

The post expressed gratitude to the organization's supporters, stating,

"This achievement would not have been possible without your unwavering generosity and belief in our mission."

The backpacks will be distributed directly to Toronto Housing to support children in underserved communities. By ensuring these students have the tools they need for academic success, the John Tavares Foundation is helping build brighter futures in Toronto.

Established to provide children with support and resources to thrive, the John Tavares Foundation has already made a substantial impact by donating $50,000 to the Ballantyne Project and $20,000 to the Alexandra Park Project revitalization program.

Aryne shares the reason for founding the John Tavares Foundation

Aryne Tavares shared insights into the foundation's origins and motivations for starting it.

"I don’t think there’s a better feeling than seeing a smile on a child’s face. It speaks a thousand words and makes us want to keep giving back and reach as many people as possible," Aryne told globalheroes.com.

The couple had dreamed about starting a foundation for years.

"We had wanted to start something when John was playing in New York," Aryne added.

"We had spent quite a bit of time brainstorming who we most wanted to impact and how the Foundation could ultimately come to life. But between John’s busy schedule and my master’s degree, the timing was just not right. When John signed in Toronto in 2018, all that time we had spent brainstorming paid off—JTF officially launched in early 2020."

Through their foundation, John and Aryne Tavares continue to inspire and support children, turning their long-held dream of giving back into reality.