Innovative project ideas for Start Something with Alesse receive overwhelming support
KIRKLAND, QC, March 13, 2012 /CNW/ - The votes are in, Canada! And while it only takes one person to make a difference, your collective voice demonstrated the power of community to rally behind a cause and affect change.
Start Something with Alesse is thrilled to announce Jesse Robson and Alyssa Fontaine Reid as the winners of the contest. They will each receive a $5,000 grant in financial support and will be paired with a mentor with experience in their related fields to provide guidance as their projects get off the ground.
In its second year, the contest had hundreds of entrants from all over the country describe their plan for 'starting something', and from there, the entries were shortlisted to six amazing finalists. Between January 4 and February 13, 2012, Canadians voted in droves with thousands of votes tallied in support of the six finalists. Two passionate young entrepreneurs -Jesse and Alyssa - claimed the top spots for their projects. By working to improve people's health and quality of life, both projects demonstrate a desire to be a part of the community and to help make a difference for not only Canadians, but for those living elsewhere in the world too.
Meet the Winners:
Jesse Robson, Halifax
Centre for Arts Exchange
Jesse has many interests, including neuroscience and performing arts and is passionate about helping people. Seeing senior citizens in her community living in isolation, poverty or with an illness, Jesse sought to re-introduce creativity, camaraderie, physical activity and above all, dignity to their lives by starting the Centre for Arts Exchange community centre. At the centre, you might find a senior citizen teaching a cooking class to University students, or a young artist teaching a senior citizen to paint with water colours.
"I was so thrilled to be chosen as one of the top six finalists, and to be able to raise the profile of this community project that I feel so passionate about," says Robson. "Thanks to the support from my fellow Canadians, I feel empowered to continue pursuing the Centre for Arts Exchange; to identify and reach out to members of my community through the arts."
Alyssa Fontaine Reid, Montreal
Planet Pounds
As a nutrition student, Alyssa didn't want to stand idly by knowing that a portion of the world's population was experiencing epidemic obesity, while in other parts of the world, people were experiencing starvation and malnutrition. Her goal was to redistribute those pounds and bring a global balance to the weight of the world. Through Planet Pounds, she hopes to encourage those interested in losing weight to raise funds through sponsorship, and pledge those funds to a charity aimed at eliminating world hunger.
"I am so happy that through this contest I will be able to launch the Planet Pounds website. I am very passionate about my project, and excited to bring this initiative to life," says Fontaine Reid. "I'm especially excited to meet with a mentor to see the most effective ways for me to reach my goal, so I can help others reach their goals too!"
About Start Something with Alesse
Start Something with Alesse is a one-of-a-kind initiative empowering young Canadians to articulate their personal goals and receive mentoring and financial support to "start something" unique.
"It is so motivating that Canada got behind these two initiatives that focus on making our communities and our world a better place," says John McKendry, Pfizer Canada Inc. "All the finalist projects we saw this year represent individuals wanting to make a difference. Based on the votes, we are pleased to be able to support Jesse and Alyssa as they set the stage for great things to come."
Entries were accepted from August 29, 2011 until October 31, 2011 at 11:59:59 PM and were judged based on the criteria listed in the official Rules and Regulations located at www.startsomethingwithalesse.ca. Last year's winners, Sheyla Abdic and Sedina Fiati helped short-list the six finalists.
The finalists' projects were posted online at www.startsomethingwithalesse.ca. The two winners were determined based on votes earned through online voting by the general public, from January 4, 2012 until February 13, 2012. Voting was limited to one vote per day.
The official contest rules and regulations can be found at www.startsomethingwithalesse.ca.
About Pfizer in Canada
Pfizer Canada Inc. is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc, the world's leading biopharmaceutical company. The company is one of the largest contributors to health research in Canada. Our diversified health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as many of the world's best-known consumer products.
Every day, Pfizer Canada employees work to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. We apply science and our global resources to improve the health and well-being of Canadians at every stage of life.
Our commitment is reflected in everything we do, from our disease awareness initiatives to our community partnerships, to our belief that it takes more than medication to be truly healthy. To learn more about Pfizer's More Than Medication philosophy and programs, visit morethanmedication.ca. To learn more about Pfizer Canada, visit pfizer.ca.
or for contest entry details, please contact:
Heather Bisset
Manager, Corporate Communications
Pfizer Canada Inc.
1-866-9PFIZER
[email protected]
Ontario
Karley Ura
NATIONAL Public Relations
416-848-1425
[email protected]
Quebec
Dominique Quirion
NATIONAL Public Relations
514-843-2302
[email protected]
Nova Scotia
Ellie Bramah
MT&L Public Relations
902-425-1860 x 245
[email protected]
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