TORONTO, Dec. 12 /CNW/ - NHL Alumni Darryl Sittler, Mark Napier, Bill Derlago and Rick Vaive joined Scotiabank executives and youth from Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club in a friendly two-period hockey game today at Ricoh Coliseum. In its third year, the Scotia Hope Hockey Classic hockey game was played in support of Scotiabank's 2010 employee fundraising campaign for United Way.

"For more than 15 years, Scotiabank employees have been bringing hope to the communities we serve through our longtime partnership with United Way," said Chris Hodgson, Scotiabank Group Head, Global Wealth Management. "Many of our fundraising initiatives and awareness drives encourage others to give and help promote significant change in our communities. Today's exciting hockey game was meant to inspire our employees and connect with the agencies that United Way supports."

The two hockey teams were mixed with 14 Scotiabank executives and senior management, 12 youth from the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club, and NHL hockey legends Darryl Sittler, Bill Derlago, Rick Vaive and Mark Napier as team co-captains. Scotiabank and its partner Pro Hockey Life, the ultimate hockey megastore, outfitted the youth with complete hockey gear and equipment for them to keep. Toronto defenseman François Beauchemin also made an appearance to sign autographs for fans.

"The economic downturn continues to create great uncertainty for many families across our community. Our frontline agencies are seeing significant demand for their services," said Julia Gorman, Vice President, Resource Development, United Way Toronto. "Events like this remind us that we are all connected and we all have a role to play in providing opportunities for a better life for everyone. Through Scotia Hope, the dedicated employees of Scotiabank are making a real difference in our community."

"We are thrilled to partner with Scotiabank for such a worthy cause," said Mark Napier, Executive Director of NHL Alumni Association. "United Way is an incredible organization that really inspires people to make a difference. The NHL Alumni Association and our members are proud to help in their mission to improve lives and build communities."

Scotia Hope, Scotiabank's 2010 employee fundraising campaign for United Way, encourages employees to join the effort to give hope to neighbourhoods in the GTA. Through employee and corporate donations, Scotiabank hopes to raise more than $5.6 million this year to help women, men, youth and children in our community. This money will help address the very serious challenges of hunger and homelessness, and help Canadian newcomers build lives right across the GTA. 

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 2009 the Bank provided about $39 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education and social services and arts and culture. Please visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

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