Aviva Community Fund asks Canadians a Million-Dollar Question

Nationwide call-to-action as Aviva Canada doubles its commitment to community improvement, with focus on at-risk youth and families

TORONTO, May 5 /CNW/ - Aviva Canada is proud to announce that the Aviva Community Fund competition will return in fall 2010, and this time there are a million reasons to get involved in positive community change. Building on the success of last year's campaign, Aviva Canada is doubling its 2009 pledge of $500,000 by offering $1 million to lead, empower and support community initiatives across the country. Whether it's a project that will help get at-risk youth off the street and back into schools or other ways to extend a helping hand to those in need, the Aviva Community Fund enables all Canadians to not only submit a cause but also become actively involved in making change happen.

First launching in October 2009, the inaugural Aviva Community Fund asked Canadians to submit their ideas and vote for causes on the competition's online portal - AvivaCommunityFund.org. Canadians overwhelmingly answered the call, proposing over 2,000 ideas and casting more than two million votes in support of causes from every province and territory. In the end, eight winners were selected and the Aviva Community Fund's $500,000 pledge was immediately put to work on projects such as building a kitchen at a youth centre in Moose Jaw, constructing much-needed playgrounds in Burnaby and Brantford, and building a lodge at a camp for kids touched by chronic illness in Prince Edward Island.

"This year we wanted to build on the passion we saw from Canadians in response to the first Aviva Community Fund by upping our commitment with a million-dollar pledge," said Maurice Tulloch, President and CEO, Aviva Canada. "This competition truly reinforces our mission to help children and families in need in the neighbourhoods where our customers, employees, brokers and partners live, work and play, everyday."

Does your local youth centre need support? Does your school or community need a new playground? Are you ready to make a difference? Year two of the competition kicks off in fall 2010, when entrants will be encouraged to submit ideas and drive support for their unique and worthy causes. Canada's most popular entries will qualify for funding and Aviva will ensure the winning ideas receive the financial and practical support they need to get off the ground. Aviva Canada encourages community members and leaders to visit AvivaCommunityFund.org for news and regular competition updates and to learn more about how to get involved.

About Aviva Canada

Aviva Canada Inc. is one of the leading Property and Casualty insurance groups in Canada, providing home, automobile and business insurance to more than three million customers. Our group of companies has more than 3,300 employees, 40 locations and 1,700 independent broker partners. Aviva Canada products and services are delivered across the country under the following brands: Aviva, Aviva Pilot, Aviva Traders, Aviva Elite, Aviva Scottish & York and through S&Y Insurance Company. Aviva Canada Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UK-based Aviva plc, the world's fifth largest insurance group. Please visit our web site at avivacanada.com.

For further information: Media Contacts: Sarah Van Lange, Fleishman-Hillard, Desk: [phone] or [phone], [email protected]; Laura Crochetiere, Fleishman-Hillard, Desk: [phone] or [phone], [email protected]