TORONTO, Feb. 8 /CNW/ - Scotiabank today announced a $10,000 contribution
to the China Snow Storm Fund to support relief efforts for some 7.8 million
people affected by China's worst snow storm in five decades.
    "Scotiabank's contribution to the China Snow Storm Fund continues our
tradition of supporting communities in which we do business in Canada and
around the world," said Rania Llewellyn, Vice-President, Multi-Cultural
Banking, Scotiabank. "Our hearts go out to the people of China who were struck
by these harsh forces of nature."
    Scotiabank has also opened its network of 1,005 Canadian branches to
accept donations to the China Snow Storm Fund, a trust fund established by
members of the Chinese Media Professionals Club, of Toronto. Money raised
through the China Snow Storm Fund campaign will go to the Canadian Red Cross -
China Snow Disaster Trust. The Red Cross hopes to provide basic supplies,
emergency shelter and access to health care and clean water.
    The Canadian Red Cross estimates 1.7 million people were forced from
their homes by the bitter winter storm, as 20 of 31 provinces in China have
experienced unusually low temperatures, ice and heavy snow since mid-January.
Hundreds of thousands of farm houses have also collapsed under the heavy snow.

    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 2007 the Bank provided more than $43 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.