Hope still runs high for a local Boston Pizza visit by sports icon Shaquille O’Neal.
Ron Doi, franchisee of the chain’s Pen Centre restaurant, is making a full-court press to get the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball superstar to come to the eatery.
The visit would raise money for the Niagara Peninsula Children’s Centre, of which Doi is a director.
As part of the campaign, Doi started a Facebook group called Get Shaq to Visit Boston Pizza Pen Centre.
Since July 28, it has brought together 2,700 fans who want O’Neal stop by.
“We’ve heard nothing so far (from O’Neal),” said Doi.
“Lately, we’ve put on a little bit of a blitz behind it again and got a few more members,” he said.
“We’re still hoping —we’re not going to give up.”

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment’s (MLSE) four professional sports teams – the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC and Toronto Marlies -will team up with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) to host their first Team Up for Pink Ribbon Weekend on Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11 at Air Canada Centre, BMO Field and Ricoh Coliseum.

The goal of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment’s Team Up for Pink Ribbon Weekend is to support creating a future without breast cancer and to raise awareness about the disease that touches the lives of thousands of Canadians each year.

This is the first year the Raptors and Marlies are supporting the CBCF. Toronto FC is celebrating its second year of support, while the Maple Leafs are in their sixth year of supporting this worthy cause.

All proceeds from MLSE’s Team Up for Pink Ribbon Weekend benefit the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Ontario Region.

“Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is excited to host Team Up for Pink Ribbon Weekend, which represents our first four team charitable initiative,” said David Hopkinson, MLSE’s senior vice-president of corporate and community partnerships. “Our organization has a strong history of support for CBCF. By combining the efforts of all of our teams we’re building awareness among a much larger audience of sports fans and television viewers, and raising more funds that support research efforts for a disease that affects tens of thousands of Canadian women and men each year.”

The Team Up for Pink Ribbon Weekend kicks off Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Toronto FC game against the San Jose Earthquakes. Toronto FC fans can show their support by purchasing a special pink Toronto FC jersey. Ten percent of sales proceeds from all pink TFC jerseys sold this season will be donated to CBCF. Fans can purchase the jersey at BMO Field on game day or at CentreSports, the official team store, located in Air Canada Centre’s Galleria. The players’ wives and girlfriends, along with CBCF volunteers, will collect donations at all BMO Field gates. Toronto FC players will also show their support by wearing pink game jerseys for the match.

Fans can also pledge their support by bidding on items in the Toronto FC Team Up for Pink Ribbon Weekend auction. For more information, visit www.torontofc.ca .

On Saturday night during their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Maple Leafs players will wear and later auction their game worn jerseys, while Leafs coaches and on-air broadcasters will wear Hockey Fights Cancer ties. Leafs fans attending the game can make an in-arena donation towards the cause. Lady Leafs, the players’ wives and girlfriends, and CBCF volunteers will greet fans at Air Canada Centre gates.

The Maple Leafs Pink Ribbon Night online auction goes live Saturday at www.mapleleafs.com where hockey fans and supporters can bid on a number of items from hockey-related memorabilia to various experiential packages.

The Raptors and Marlies will host their respective Pink Ribbon Awareness events at their games Sunday, October 11.

Raptors coaching staff and broadcasters will wear a hint of pink to show their support when the Raptors host the Washington Wizards in this preseason game, while players will wear special pink ribbon shooting shirts during the pregame shootaround. Tip off is 3 p.m. at Air Canada Centre. Donations for CBCF will also be collected at all gates. Basketball fans are invited to participate in a special online auction at www.raptors.com featuring team signed sports memorabilia and experiential packages.

The Toronto Marlies will hold their breast cancer awareness afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum starting at 4 p.m. Marlies coaches and staff will wear pink ribbons to pledge their support, while player uniforms and equipment will include elements of pink demonstrating their support for the cause.

Team Up for Pink Ribbon Weekend is a community leadership initiative developed and organized by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.

About Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation was founded in 1986 as the first organization in the country devoted exclusively to the funding of breast cancer research, education and awareness initiatives. The Foundation continues to blaze new trails in breast cancer and breast health by directing donor dollars to world-class researchers and clinicians who are contributing to groundbreaking progress in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Since 2000, the Foundation has directed nearly $60 million to the cause in Ontario alone as a result of fundraising initiatives, hundreds of thousands of donors and the efforts of a committed volunteer network numbering in the thousands.

Atascadero Junior High School students raised $14,385 Friday during a fundraising Exer-thon by participating in activities such as jump roping, basketball, soccer, badminton and walking.

The fundraiser was held to keep the school’s basketball and volleyball teams after budget cuts by the school board eliminated funding for the sports.

The students collected pledges from family and community members. The money will pay the $7,000 needed for the after-school sports and also help pay for classroom supplies and academic clubs also stripped of district funding.