The National Scotiabank Game Changer will receive $100,000 towards their charity at the 100^th Grey Cup

TORONTO, Oct. 29, 2012 /CNW/ - Scotiabank today announced eight National Game Changer finalists for the 2012 Scotiabank Game Changer program. The eight finalists demonstrate the passion, perseverance and dedication needed to improve their communities and pave the way for positive change, as embodied in the Scotiabank Bright Future program, and are in the running for the Scotiabank National Game Changer title and $100,000 towards their chosen charity. The National Game Changer will be announced at the 100^th Grey Cup in Toronto on November 25, 2012.

"Through the Scotiabank Game Changers program Canadians have been introduced to extraordinary people doing remarkable things for causes and communities that inspire positive change," said Anatol von Hahn, Group Head, Canadian Banking, Scotiabank. "These eight game, life and community-changing finalists are an inspiration to all of us. On behalf of Scotiabank, I extend our thanks to all of the nominees who day in and day out, are paving the way for a bright future in their communities. We were awed by the submissions that we received for this program and it drove home that Canadians care deeply about their communities and are more than willing to invest their time and energy to make a difference. We also want to thank the thousands of Canadians who voted and the local communities who helped celebrate these local heroes and made this program a success. Now we open up the opportunity for Canadians to help the jury select our ultimate winner."

SCOTIABANK GAME CHANGERS STARTING LINE UP

To celebrate their achievements, the following eight National Game Changer finalists have won a trip to the 100^th Grey Cup and Festival in Toronto, where the National Game Changer will be announced during the game and broadcast on TSN.

Angel Magnussen - British Columbia
Variety -The Children's Charity of British Columbia

Sixteen-year-old Angel is a Scotiabank Game Changer for her work with Variety at The Children's Charity of British Columbia. Angel was born with Down Syndrome, and has made it her mission to help sick kids get better. She is always thinking of new ways to raise money and spread the word for her favourite charities. Angel can be found selling Gold Heart pins and collecting coins for Variety's Kids, knitting hats for sick kids, and even has her own fundraising cookbook called "Angel's Celebrity Charity Cookbook" benefitting Variety and pediatric care at three Vancouver Island hospitals.

Curtis Hargrove - Edmonton
Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation

Curtis is a Scotiabank Game Changer for his work with the Stollery Children's Hospital. He has been fundraising and working with charities his whole life, and has always shown a deep level of compassion for those in need. Curtis is currently running across Canada with the hope of raising $1,000,000 for the Stollery Children's Hospital. Curtis believes, "you can do anything you put your mind to" and he passes along these words to anyone looking to get involved. Curtis encourages others to go out and make a difference wherever they can.

Austin Grayston - Calgary
"Youth Boost"- Alberta Youth in Care and Custody Network

Fourteen-year-old Austin is a Scotiabank Game Changer for creating "Youth Boost", a program that helps young people get involved in organized sports in their community, regardless of their families' income. Austin wanted to help all kids with limited financial means and give them the opportunity to play competitive sports, so he and friends organized garage sales and an online fundraiser to raise money for "Youth Boost." To date, "Youth Boost" has raised $10,000 and helped 53 youth get involved in sports.

Erin Fogarty - Saskatchewan
Street Culture Kidz Project

Erin is a Scotiabank Game Changer for her passion and dedication to the Street Culture Kidz Project and her extensive community work for Saskatchewan youth. Erin is a supervisor at Street Culture's youth shelter; focusing on relationship building and transitioning youth to the next period in their lives. She is involved with more than 20 community groups focused on suicide prevention, poverty reduction, bullying awareness and youth advocacy. Erin started hosting conferences to raise awareness about abuse prevention and started the "Bullying Stops Here" project in 2010. She received the Rachel Davis Award in 2007 for her kindness, compassion and generosity towards others.

Ian Rabb - Winnipeg
Two Ten Recovery

Ian has spent a decade helping change the lives of hundreds of people who suffer from addiction. Ian overcame his own addiction issues 11 years ago and has been sharing his story and extending a helping hand to those in need. After recognizing the lack of housing for individuals recovering from substance abuse, he founded Two Ten Recovery Inc, which provides safe, structured drug and alcohol-free housing. Ian helps provide hope and guidance and continues to fight to make a difference in the lives of recovering addicts and alcoholics.

Shane Eickmann - Hamilton
GlobalMedic

Shane was nominated as a Scotiabank Game Changer for his dedicated and heroic efforts volunteering with GlobalMedic. Shane has a long history of leadership and volunteerism. A full time paramedic, Shane has a number of additional certifications ranging from wilderness and remote first aid to lifeguarding. He has worked extensively with the Canadian Red Cross as an Injury Prevention Spokesperson and Program Representative. Shane has also volunteered in Cambodia, training others in lifesaving techniques and helping deliver medical equipment and essential medicines, along with water and sanitation programs, to remote communities. Shane travelled to Haiti in 2010 and Turkey in 2011 following earthquakes, to provide much-needed on the ground support.

Anne Marie Batten -Toronto
Street Health

Anne Marie is a Scotiabank Game Changer for her compassion and dedicated work as a crisis nurse with Street Health in Toronto. Anne Marie helps to take care of the homeless, and focuses on specialty crisis nursing and outreach. She is instrumental with Project Winter Survival and Project Water which makes and distributes kits for people living on the street. Thousands of people have been touched by Street Health's initiatives and Anne Marie is motivated by the people who she works with every day.

Judy Stevens - Montreal
Share the Warmth

Judy is a Scotiabank Game Changer for starting "Share the Warmth", an organization with a mission to help overcome hunger and poverty in the community. Judy created "Share the Warmth" after she heard a news report on homelessness and poverty in Montreal in 1989. She rallied her friends, and then her community to participate in a clothing drive to help homeless people in Montreal keep warm. For more than 22 years, Judy and her team of volunteers have distributed clothes to people in need. The organization has grown to hold a food bank for 700 people each month and run a school food program to feed children and a second-hand shop that clothes more than 8,000 people each year.

These eight finalists were chosen from 72 Scotiabank Game Changers recognized over the course of the 2012 CFL regular season, for their commitment to doing outstanding work for causes and people in their communities. The National Scotiabank Game Changer will be chosen by an all-star jury panel comprised of Michael "Pinball" Clemons, Mark Cohon - Commissioner of the Canadian Football League, Stewart Johnston - President, TSN, and Scotiabank's Anatol von Hahn, and through public voting at www.ScotiabankGameChangers.com, between October 29, 2012 and November 20, 2012.

VOTING CRITERIA

Judging criteria is based on leadership, challenge and impact. All Scotiabank Game Changer candidates must demonstrate leadership and community involvement within one of the six Scotiabank Bright Future Philanthropic Pillars: Health, Education, Social Services, Arts & Culture, Sports and Environment.

SCOTIABANK GAME CHANGERS INSTANT REPLAY

During the CFL regular season, Scotiabank recognized 72 Regional Game Changers in all CFL team markets, providing them with a $1,000 donation to their registered charity or registered non-profit organization. To see a list of the 72 recipients, go to www.ScotiabankGameChangers.com

To vote for one of the eight finalists, go to www.ScotiabankGameChangers.com. For more information about the program, visit us 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, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts. 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.

About the Canadian Football League:

The Canadian Football League is our league. The Grey Cup is our national championship and Canada's largest annual single sporting event. We are proudly preparing for the 100th Grey Cup in 2012. The celebration will span the country and culminate in a tremendous festival and game in Toronto this November. We invite all Canadians to be a part of it.

SOURCE: Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations