A local hero from British Columbia could receive a $100,000 donation for their community efforts to the charity of their choice at the 100^th Grey Cup in Toronto

VANCOUVER, Aug. 22, 2012 /CNW/ - Scotiabank wants you to help uncover local community heroes in British Columbia by nominating a Scotiabank Game Changer today. With the BC Lions season underway, more than 25 Scotiabank Game Changers have already been recognized across Canada, but there is still time to send local heroes from British Columbia into the spotlight by visiting www.ScotiabankGameChangers.com and submitting a nomination.

"Scotiabank Game Changers gives people the opportunity to look into the heart of their communities and find individuals who make a difference everyday," said Rob Wilkins, Scotiabank's District Vice President, Downtown Vancouver and Northern BC. "The success of the Scotiabank Game Changers so far this season has been tremendous, with dozens of community game changers recognized in CFL markets across Canada. We know there are so many people who are doing great things in their community, and that's why we're asking people to keep the momentum alive and nominate someone today."

Over the course of the BC Lions season, Scotiabank will recognize nine Scotiabank Game Changers at home games. With four already recognized this season, there's still time left to get in the game and nominate a friend, neighbour, spouse, cousin - anyone who is making a positive impact. Nominating is easy, just visit www.ScotiabankGameChangers.com and tell us about someone who is doing great things.

INSTANT REPLAY

Take a look at the Scotiabank Game Changers who have already been recognized:

BC LION SCOTIABANK GAME CHANGERS

Darryl Pollock, Greater Victoria Minor Football, June 29, 2012

Darryl is a coach in the Greater Victoria Minor Football association and his organization teaches youth the principles of fair play, sportsmanship, teamwork and friendly competition. Darryl has been involved in the minor football community for over nine years and volunteers his time as a coach and a mentor. He has dedicated countless hours to teaching young children the importance of a healthy active lifestyle. When Darryl started coaching they were able to start the first team in Sooke, BC and now, with his help, the league has grown to three teams.

Richard Loat, Five Hole for Food, July 6, 2012

When Richard saw what hockey could unite people across Canada, he decided to act. He created Five Hole for Food, an organization that sets up ball hockey games across the country in order to collect food donations to feed Canadians in need. For three years, Richard and his team have driven across the country collecting thousands of pounds of food, while playing street hockey. This year, on the third annual tour, the team stopped in 13 different cities setting a goal to raise 100,000 pounds of food for those in need.

Maureen Adams, Canadian Cancer Society of BC, July 20, 2012

When Maureen was first approached by an individual from the Canadian Cancer Society of BC, she gladly volunteered to be a door to door canvasser. Now, 35 years later, Maureen has continued to be an active volunteer within the organization. She has helped organize and execute the canvassing initiatives in her neighbourhood by preparing kits and providing ongoing support to fellow volunteers. Maureen has lived in the same community for 43 years, and describes it as her family. As a result she is deeply committed to helping improve the lives of those in her community, and especially those who have been touched by cancer.

Anais Poirier, Pain Services at BC Children's Hospital, August 19, 2012

Eleven-year-old Anais wanted to give back and help other children like herself after a minor foot injury sidelined her as competitive rhythmic gymnast. The Pain Services at BC Children's Hospital helped her recover from her injury and a year later she returned to the sport. No one expected Anais to be able to compete again, but she placed second in Western Canada for her age bracket. Anais has raised $8,500 for the Pain Clinic at BC Children's Hospital. A portion of this fundraising amount will be to be used to create a series of videos about pediatric pain and to help raise awareness about chronic pain in children and young people.

These game-changing finalists have a shot at becoming a National Game Changer Finalist. That means they could win a game-changing sum of $100,000 for the registered charity or non-profit organization of choice at the 100^th Grey Cup in Toronto.

"Scotiabank Game Changers is a great way for fans and non-fans alike to get out in their community and recognize individuals who are dedicated to improving the lives of others by creating bright futures," said Travis Lulay, BC Lions Quarterback. "Every game, we see the dedication that BC Lions fans have to our team and we know there are local game changers who are dedicated to their community in the same way. I encourage people to get out and nominate, or vote for, a Scotiabank Game Changer so we can celebrate those people, just as we celebrate this great game."

TIME IS TICKING DOWN

There's still time on the clock to nominate, or vote for, a Scotiabank Game Changer. Over the course of the 2012 CFL regular season, nine Scotiabank Game Changers will be selected in British Columbia and be rewarded for making a difference in their communities. They will receive:

• $1,000 to the cause or charity of the Scotiabank Game Changer's choice
• Online recognition at ScotiabankGameChangers.com
• Broadcast recognition at select games on TSN

TSN will also highlight select Scotiabank Game Changers in National broadcasts throughout the regular season.

SCOTIABANK GAME CHANGERS PLAY BY PLAY

During the CFL regular season, Scotiabank is recognizing 72 Regional Game Changers in all CFL team markets and providing them with a $1,000 donation to the registered charity or registered non-profit organization of their choice. At the end of the regular season, from the 72 Regional Game Changers, eight Scotiabank National Game Changer Finalists will be selected and provided a VIP trip to the 100th Grey Cup in Toronto. Of those finalists, one will be selected as the National Game Changer and will receive a $100,000 donation to the registered charity or registered non-profit organization of their choice to be presented at the 100th Grey Cup in Toronto on November 25, 2012. CFL fans can nominate and vote for Scotiabank Game Changers to help choose the initiative that will receive $100,000.

For more information on how to nominate a Scotiabank Game Changer, to vote for a Scotiabank Game Changer and for full contest rules, please visit www.ScotiabankGameChangers.com, on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @ScotiaCFL  #sbgamechangers

About Scotiabank:

Scotiabank is a proud supporter of the Canadian Football League and is the Official Bank of the CFL, 100^th Grey Cup Festival, BC Lions, Edmonton Eskimos, Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.  Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $45 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years.  Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

SOURCE: Scotiabank