TORONTO, June 19 /CNW/ - Scotiabank and Bloorview Kids Rehab today opened
the Scotiabank Creative Arts Studio as part of Scotiabank's $600,000 donation
to Bloorview Kids Foundation in support of their ongoing efforts to enrich the
lives of children in our community.
    "Scotiabank is proud to be a part of Bloorview's many programs and
initiatives which reach out to the children in our community," said Scotiabank
President and CEO Rick Waugh. "From the summer camps to the therapeutic art
therapy programs that are offered, these programs give children the
opportunity to learn, be creative and grow in a safe and accessible space in
the heart of our City."
    Included in Scotiabank's donation was the unveiling of the newly named
Scotiabank Creative Arts Studio as well as the following:-   The Spiral Garden Camp Program: started in 1984 the integrated summer
        camp program provides children with disabilities and children from
        the community the opportunity to play and learn together in a safe
        and accessible environment. The Spiral Garden concept began at
        Bloorview and has since been developed and shared internationally.
        Since 2004, Scotiabank's north Toronto District Vice-Presidents have
        sent more than 70 kids to this camp.

    -   The Scotiabank Art Therapy room: keeping the spirit of Spiral Garden
        alive year round in the Open Arts Studio, the Art Therapy room is a
        magnificent bright space that overlooks the ravine and incorporates
        the natural setting indoors.

    -   The newly named Scotiabank Creative Arts Studio marks Scotiabank's
        donation to Bloorview's overall Help Us Defy Disability Campaign. For
        the next three years, $10,000 of Scotiabank's pledge each year will
        be directed to the Scotiabank Therapeutic Arts International Travel
        Fund. This fund allows professional talent to be shared world-wide
        and for Bloorview to have an international scope."We are absolutely delighted with this important donation," said Valerie
McMurtry, President & CEO, Bloorview Kids Foundation. "Bloorview is Canada's
only stand alone pediatric rehab teaching hospital and it provides the best
care in the world for children born with disabilities and those recovering
from accidents and injuries. Donations like this one go a long way towards
helping us ensure we have the money to fund projects that are critical to the
future of children's rehabilitation and integration into our communities."

    Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live
and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally
and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic
activities, in 2006 the Bank provided more than $42 million in sponsorships
and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas
of healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. Scotiabank is
on the World Wide Web at www.scotiabank.com.

    /NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on
    the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca.
    Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive
    website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited
    members of the media/