Catherine Chen Wins 2010 Microsoft Holiday Greeting Card Competition

Eleven-year-old Toronto Boys and Girls Club member's art to be the face of Microsoft Canada holiday greeting card

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 15 /CNW/ - Inspiring youth creativity is front and centre in the 14^th annual Microsoft Canada Holiday Greeting Card Competition in connection with Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. Eleven year-old Catherine Chen, a member of the Eastview (Toronto) Boys and Girls Club/Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre, won the competition this year, winning a Dell Inspiron 15R laptop and a new Flip MinoHD Flash camcorder. Microsoft Canada will animate her hand-drawn holiday image as the company's 2010 electronic holiday greeting to its employees, technology partners and vendors.

For more than a decade, Microsoft Canada has welcomed children from Boys and Girls Clubs across Canada to design images that celebrate the holiday spirit.  This year, participants were asked to create a greeting that described one special thing they would like to do this holiday season.  Catherine's winning holiday greeting was chosen from more than 500 entries, and this marks her second win in the competition.

"Inspiring and empowering creativity is at the core of our relationship with Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, and over the past 14 years our employees have had the pleasure of seeing this commitment come to life through thousands of wonderful greeting card submissions," said Gavin Thompson, Director of Corporate Citizenship, Microsoft Canada. "Catherine's winning image for 2010 truly represents her love of the arts and we are proud to share her work across Canada as our official e-card for the season." 

All 2010 contest entries were judged based on originality, creativity and relevance to theme. The official judging panel consisted of pre-selected Microsoft Canada employees.

"I love to draw in my free time and it's exciting for me to be able to do something I enjoy," said Catherine Chen. "I was so surprised to hear that I won again, and I'm really happy that I was able to win the competition for the club for the second time."

In addition to Catherine's prizes and featuring her artwork, Microsoft Canada presented the Eastview (Toronto) Boys and Girls Club with $1,000. Microsoft Canada works with Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and its network of 104 Clubs in 700 communities across the country to provide programs that empower children and youth through technology.

"We are thrilled to continue to work with Microsoft Canada and host this popular competition. Each year, this competition encourages children in Boys and Girls Clubs across Canada to ignite their imagination and get excited about the holidays," said Pam Jolliffe, President and CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. "Microsoft understands just how important it is for children to have an outlet to express themselves creatively, and it is wonderful to see the company's commitment to helping Boys and Girls Clubs provide these kinds of opportunities through this annual competition."

To learn more about Microsoft Canada's relationship with the Boys and Girls Club of Canada and to view Catherine Chen's winning image, please visit www.citizenship.microsoft.ca.

About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Inc. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has nine regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. For more information on Microsoft Canada, please visit www.microsoft.ca.

About Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada
Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada is a leading non-profit organization providing programs that support the healthy physical, educational and social development of over 200,000 children, youth and their families each year. In 700 community locations across Canada, Boys and Girls Clubs offer opportunities, after school and at other critical times when children are not in school, to develop healthy behaviours, academic success, positive relationships, and life and leadership skills.

Most Clubs also provide nutritious snacks and meals and many offer emergency shelter, family support programs and other help to children, youth and families in need. Boys and Girls Clubs have been helping young Canadians to discover, develop and achieve their potential, for over 100 years. To learn more, visit www.bgccan.com.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information:

Tania Divito
on behalf of Microsoft Canada
416-644-2262
[email protected]