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Algonquin Alumnus of the Year Jason Blaine Raises $75,000 for Charity

Five years ago, Jason Blaine asked me to go lunch with him. The Canadian Recording Artist and Algonquin College Alumnus had a vision he wanted to share with me about setting up his own charity in his hometown of Pembroke.

He laid out the plan. It would be a two-day event that would include an 18-hole golf tournament and a concert. He was confident he could call in some favours and bring in other leading country musicians to be part of the event, but he wasn’t sure how much backing he would have in the community.

My first thought was “this is going to be a lot of work.” In fact, I told Jason I really needed to think about it. Another year went by and Jason contacted me again. Another lunch appointment generated a deeper conversation. It was clear, his idea wasn’t going away.

Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Three years ago the concept was tested when Jason held a nine-and-dine to announce his bigger plans. The tournament quickly sold out and generated a few thousand dollars that became seed money for the launch of the Jason Blaine Charity Golf Classic and Night With the Stars Concert in June of 2014.

With Gord Bamford and Kira Isabella performing along with Jason, businesses, individuals and organizations jumped on board, helping the event raise $50,000 for community groups. That money was distributed to Algonquin College’s capital building campaign for the new Waterfront Campus, the Pembroke Boys’ and Girls’ Club and the Pembroke-Petawawa Community Foundation.

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Building on that success, Jason’s organizing committee went to work on planning the 2015 fundraiser. Tim Hicks, Chad Brownlee and Ben Rutz were secured as the headliners and more sponsors joined the party, resulting in a whopping $75,000 raised. Again, the College and Boys’ and Girls’ Club benefitted, but so did the Pembroke Regional Hospital’s MRI campaign. Jason also committed $5,000 to help pay for Mental Health First Aid training for volunteers and employees of not-for-profit organizations in Renfrew County.

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A few weeks ago, Jason spoke at Algonquin College’s convocation ceremony where he talked about believing in yourself and about the importance of helping others. His message was inspiring. He shared his story of working in a local factory, being nicknamed “Nashville” by some of his co-workers, and about dreaming of hearing his songs on the radio.

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His first step to living his dream was enrolling in a Business program at Algonquin where he learned the entrepreneurial skills he needed to propel his raw musical talent into a career. The strategy worked. He has now had several top hits, but as his celebrity has grown he has remained grounded, never forgetting where he came from.

It’s clear that while Jason Blaine may live in Nashville, Tennessee, his heart remains in the Ottawa Valley.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Algonquin Alumnus Jason Blaine Rocks PMC for Charity

Jason Blaine is one of Canada’s top Country music recording artists! He is also a Pembroke native and a graduate of Algonquin College’s Business program and recently he did what more college graduates should be doing! He gave back to his college and his community.

In the United States, alumni play a huge role in supporting the overall well being of the institution that they graduated from. In Canada, there are a few universities such as St. FX in Antigonish, Nova Scotia and Queens in Kingston, Ontario, that have a strong hold on their alumni, but most Canadian colleges and universities struggle with alumni relations. Unfortunately, most graduates move on with their lives after finishing up their schooling, and don’t keep their connection to their alma matter.

Recently, Blaine, who has lived in Nashville, Tennessee for several years, came back to his hometown of Pembroke to hold his first charity concert and golf tournament. The event was a resounding success, raising $50,000 for local charities including Algonquin College’s new Pembroke Campus capital campaign and the Boys and Girls Club of Pembroke.

Jason Blaine Kira Isabella Gord Bambord_72Jason Blaine with celebrity friends Kira Isabella and Gord Bamford

Married, with three young children, a crazy travel schedule, the pressure to write and record more hit songs, and all of the challenges that come with living a public life, Blaine didn’t have to spend the hundreds of hours required to plan and execute a great concert and golf tournament event, but he did! Why? Because his hometown and the college he graduated from, matter to him.

Jason Blaine at Grand Opening

Not every post-secondary graduate has the profile that Jason Blaine does, but every one of them can make a difference at the college they graduated from. Whether it is taking the time to visit future classes to share their college and work experiences with students, or making a financial contribution to a bursary program or a capital project, both time and financial gifts contribute to the success of a school.

Jason Blaine thanks golfers at his first annual golf classic tournament_72Jason Blaine thanks golfers at his first annual golf classic tournament.

What Jason Blaine has done by establishing his own Charitable Fund is inspirational. It is also a call to action to all Algonquin College graduates to consider giving back to their college and their community.

Jason reveals amount raised for charity_72Jason reveals amount raised for charity.

I’d love to hear your stories and thoughts on this blog or about other Algonquin graduates that are doing great things in their community. Please share.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger