TORONTO, Aug. 6, 2013 /CNW/ - Summer is in full swing. Are you using the extra time to give back to your community? Thinking about volunteering? The Scotiabank Bright Future Awards showcase young volunteers who are making a difference in their communities, inviting them to join Scotiabank in creating positive change as part of its grassroots Bright Future philanthropic program. Apply now at scotiabankbrightfutureawards.com for a chance to win a tablet computer and a CDN$2,500 donation to the charity of your choice.

"Volunteers have a tremendous impact on the success of our communities, which is why Scotiabankers give countless hours of their time to volunteer through Bright Future," says Rick Waugh, Scotiabank Chief Executive Officer. "We know that many young people are deeply committed to causes that impact their communities. The Scotiabank Bright Future Awards invite these exceptional youth volunteers to join us in building healthier, stronger communities."

Initially launched in 2012, the program recognizes 12 winners — six in Canada and six internationally. Countries participating in the program include:

Details about the Scotiabank Bright Future Awards:

• To be eligible, applicants must be between the ages of 16 to 24 and live in one of the participating countries listed above
• Applicants must complete a minimum 100 hours of volunteer service in three of Scotiabank's six Bright Future pillars —education, arts & culture, health, social services, sports and the environment — log their hours at scotiabankbrightfutureawards.com and submit an essay describing the impact their volunteerism has had on their community, charitable organizations and themselves
• The application deadline is October 31, 2013
• 12 winners will be announced in spring 2014

For more information, visit scotiabankbrightfutureawards.com or follow your country's Scotiabank Facebook page and Twitter account for regular program updates.

About Scotiabank Bright Future
The Scotiabank Bright Future program is the Bank's global philanthropic program which brings together all of the Bank's charitable, social and community efforts and employee volunteer activities under one banner. Through the Bright Future program, the Bank's charitable efforts are aimed at being relevant and responsive to the needs of each community at a grassroots level and provide support across the fields of health, arts, education, social services, sports and the environment. In the Caribbean, Latin and Central America, the program focuses primarily on children and children's causes.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, 'Bright Future'.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

SOURCE Scotiabank

Image with caption: "If you have 100+ volunteer hours and are between the ages of 16-24, you could win $2,500 towards a charity of your choice and a tablet for you! Apply now at scotiabankbrightfutureawards.com. (CNW Group/Scotiabank)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130806_C3309_PHOTO_EN_29480.jpg