Introducing ‘El Dream’ by José Berríos
Throughout his entire career, José ‘La Makina’ Berríos has helped others achieve their dreams through sports, education, and health. This season, José is excited to extend his philanthropic efforts and team up with Jays Care Foundation to support youth across Canada in reaching their goals. Introducing ‘El Dream’ by José Berríos – a new initiative to raise funds that will go towards helping youth develop important life skills through baseball in both his home in Puerto Rico and his adopted home in Canada through three Jays Care programs: Girls At Bat, Challenger Baseball, and Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI).
José’s Strikeout Challenge
For every strikeout during the 2024 regular season, José will donate $500.00 USD towards El Dream, rounding up to $100,000 at the end of the year. This incredible gift will go towards enabling youth to find belonging on the baseball field and are deserving of a dream that they believe is possible.
Gold Baseball Fundraiser (SOLD OUT)
Gold Baseball Fundraiser: 100 limited edition autographed Rawlings Gold Baseballs are available for purchase online, and in-person at Rogers Centre at the Authentics Store (Section 146), Gate 5 Jays Shop, and Jays Shop located at the Premium Entrance at Gate 8. All proceeds will go towards ‘El Dream’. Thanks to your support, we have sold out of gold autographed baseballs for 2024, but please check back often for new programs.
El Dream Fundraising Tracker
More about José Berríos and his long history of supporting community:
While extending his philanthropic efforts in Canada is new, caring for others and empowering youth is not. José, a proud and hands-on father of three, has supported community in his home of Puerto Rico for several years through his La Makina Foundation:
- Team La Makina – covering costs, travel, and equipment for little league teams across Puerto Rico, enabling youth to realize their on-field dreams while learning off-field life skills
- Puerto Rico National Women’s Softball – empowering the Puerto Rican women’s team to realize their international dreams by purchasing new equipment and uniforms
- Daguao Community Park – a full renovation of a community park to ensure youth in the community have access to safe playing fields
- Lab Bayamon – renovating an outdated facility to create a performance pitching lab to help deserving youth with the resources needed to pursue opportunities in baseball
- La Gente del Barrio Home Run Derby – an annual home run derby held at Roberto Clemente Stadium in Carolina, Puerto Rico that fundraises for the projects listed above