TORONTO, Nov. 7 /CNW/ - The sweet smell of pancakes and maple syrup
brought a hungry Bay Street crowd to Scotia Plaza this morning as Scotiabank
executives and guest chefs served breakfast at the Bank's annual Pancake
Breakfast. The breakfast launches Scotia Hope, Scotiabank's 2008 United Way
campaign.
    "For years, Scotiabank employees have been bringing hope to communities
where we live and work through our longtime support of United Way Toronto,"
said Rick Waugh, Scotiabank President and CEO. "Our Scotia Hope campaign goal
is to raise more than $5 million, and through fun and inviting events like
Scotiabank's annual pancake breakfast, we are able to reach out to others and
inspire them and help our employees make a difference in our community."
    Scotiabank executives were joined by Frances Lankin, United Way Toronto
President and CEO; Linda Leatherdale, Toronto Sun Money Editor, and Amanda
Lang, Co-Host of Squeeze Play on BNN. Scotiabank employees, customers, and
neighbours were invited to have breakfast in the main branch for a donation to
United Way Toronto.
    "Year after year, we see the community come together through workplace
campaigns to support United Way," said Frances Lankin, President and CEO,
United Way Toronto. "Scotiabank employees, through Scotia Hope, are a leading
example of this. Their generosity of time and commitment to creating
opportunities for a better life for all is truly inspiring."
    The annual Pancake Breakfast officially kicks off the employee campaign
which includes a variety of fundraisers showcasing the spirit and dedication
of Scotiabank employees who continuously volunteer their time and energy to
raise funds for United Way Toronto. Other fundraising and awareness
initiatives in the community include the Enbridge CN Tower Climb; the
Scotiabank Rat Race; the Amazing Scotia Race; and the Scotia Hope Hockey Game,
which brought out NHL Alumni Wendell Clark and Mark Napier to play hockey with
Bank executives and youth from United Way agencies. With more than 550
Scotiabank volunteer coordinators and canvassers, and donations made thousands
of employees, Scotiabank continues to be one of the largest supporters of
United Way Toronto.

    Established in 1956, United Way Toronto is a charity working to advance
the common good and create opportunities for a better life for everyone in our
city. Working in partnership with others, we mobilize people and resources to
address the root causes of social problems and to change community conditions
for the better. United Way supports agencies that provide services to
strengthen individuals, families, and 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 2007 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. Visit us
online 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/