Get in the game: Nominate a Scotiabank Game Changer today

A local hero from Calgary could receive a $100,000 donation for their community efforts to the charity of their choice at the 100^th Grey Cup in Toronto

CALGARY, Aug. 22, 2012 /CNW/ - Scotiabank wants you to help uncover local community heroes in Calgary by nominating a Scotiabank Game Changer today. With the Calgary Stampeders season underway, more than 25 Scotiabank Game Changers have already been recognized across Canada, but there is still time to send local heroes from Calgary area into the spotlight by visiting www.ScotiabankGameChangers.com and submitting a nomination.

"Scotiabank Game Changers gives people the opportunity to look into the heart of their communities and find individuals who make a difference everyday," said Shannon Burch, Scotiabank's District Vice President, Alberta South. "The success of the Scotiabank Game Changers so far this season has been tremendous, with dozens of community game changers recognized in CFL markets across Canada. We know there are so many people who are doing great things in their community, and that's why we're asking people to keep the momentum alive and nominate someone today."

Over the course of the Calgary Stampeders season, Scotiabank will recognize nine Scotiabank Game Changers at home games. With four already nominated this season, there's still time left to get in the game and nominate a friend, neighbour, spouse, cousin - anyone who is making a positive impact. Nominating is easy, just visit www.ScotiabankGameChangers.com and tell us about someone who is doing great things.

INSTANT REPLAY

Take a look at the Scotiabank Game Changers who have already been recognized:

CALGARY STAMPEDERS SCOTIABANK GAME CHANGERS

Lorraine Jones, YWCA of Calgary, July 1, 2012

Lorraine is the President of the Chickwagon foundation, in conjunction with the YWCA of Calgary and has helped to improve the lives of women and children in the city for almost four years. She has been instrumental in the organizations' success, through numerous fund raising efforts and by establishing key partner relationships, including one with the Calgary Stampede. Lorraine has worked tirelessly to establish a clear mission for the organization and ensure that it is serving those women and children who are in need of support.

Riley Beatty, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, July 19, 2012

Twelve-year-old Riley Beatty got involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) after being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2009. After seeing professional football player, John Chick, wearing a pump for Diabetes, Riley wanted to raise money so he could have one too. That idea snowballed into Riley wanting to raise money to find a cure so that people didn't have to live with Diabetes anymore. Through the first Skate-a-Thon Riley managed to raise enough money for a pump, as well as $22,000 for JDRF. From there the Skate-a-Thon's kept growing, raising $25,000 the second year, and in year three pulling in $32,000, totaling up to have raised close to $80,000 for JDRF in three years.

Wally Genz, Innisfail Minor Football, July 28, 2012

Wally has worked with the Innisfail Minor Football Association over the past eight years. He began his coaching career after he was approached to help out with a team that would have otherwise been forced to forfeit the season, since there weren't enough coaches.  Wally is not only a coach in the Innisfail Minor Football Association, but is also the President of the league. He does all the fundraising, recruiting, training, and coaching for the organization. He believes sports give a sense of community spirit and help foster a positive environment for youth, and it's through football that Wally helps young players build leadership and teamwork skills.

Barbara Tien, The PREP Program, July 18, 2012

Barbara founded The PREP Program because she saw the need for specialized speech and language services for children with Down Syndrome. As an inspired, young speech-language pathologist, Barbara set out to provide speech and language services to children with Down Syndrome. Barbara's perseverance has allowed PREP to grow from a one-person private practice in a church basement, to a successful, well-known organization that employs more than 25 people. PREP currently holds contracts with four school districts in Calgary and the surrounding areas. Barbara continuously advocates for students with Down Syndrome and works with the schools and parents to generate ideas allowing for continued services.

These game-changing finalists have a shot at becoming a National Game Changer Finalist. That means they could win a game-changing sum of $100,000 for the registered charity or non-profit organization of choice at the 100^th Grey Cup in Toronto.

"Scotiabank Game Changers is a great way for fans and non-fans alike to get out in their community and recognize individuals who are dedicated to improving the lives of others by creating bright futures," said Lyle Bauer, President of the Calgary Stampeder Football Club. "Every game, we see the dedication that Calgary Stampeder fans have to our team and we know there are local game changers who are dedicated to their community in the same way. I encourage people to get out and nominate, or vote for, a Scotiabank Game Changer so we can celebrate those people, just as we celebrate this great game."

TIME IS TICKING DOWN

There's still time on the clock to nominate, or vote for, a Scotiabank Game Changer. Over the course of the 2012 CFL regular season, nine Scotiabank Game Changers will be selected in the Calgary area and be rewarded for making a difference in their communities. They will receive:

• $1,000 to the cause or charity of the Scotiabank Game Changer's choice
• Online recognition at ScotiabankGameChangers.com
• Broadcast recognition at select games on TSN

TSN will also highlight select Scotiabank Game Changers in National broadcasts throughout the regular season.

SCOTIABANK GAME CHANGERS PLAY BY PLAY

During the CFL regular season, Scotiabank is recognizing 72 Regional Game Changers in all CFL team markets and providing them with a $1,000 donation to the registered charity or registered non-profit organization of their choice. At the end of the regular season, from the 72 Regional Game Changers, eight Scotiabank National Game Changer Finalists will be selected and provided a VIP trip to the 100th Grey Cup in Toronto. Of those finalists, one will be selected as the National Game Changer and will receive a $100,000 donation to the registered charity or registered non-profit organization of their choice to be presented at the 100th Grey Cup in Toronto on November 25, 2012. CFL fans can nominate and vote for Scotiabank Game Changers to help choose the initiative that will receive $100,000.

For more information on how to nominate a Scotiabank Game Changer, to vote for a Scotiabank Game Changer and for full contest rules, please visit www.ScotiabankGameChangers.com, on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @ScotiaCFL  #sbgamechangers

About Scotiabank:

Scotiabank is a proud supporter of the Canadian Football League and is the Official Bank of the CFL, 100^th Grey Cup Festival, BC Lions, Edmonton Eskimos, Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.  Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $45 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years.  Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

SOURCE: Scotiabank

Media Inquiries: 

Sheena Findlay
Scotiabank
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647-628-3501