HAMILTON, ON - May 28, 2014 /CNW/ - With the football season about to kick off, Scotiabank is proud to announce the start of another year of the Scotiabank Game Changers program and encourages everyone to nominate community heroes they want to see recognized during the Hamilton Tiger-Cats regular season.

Scotiabank Game Changers will be recognized and awarded $1,000 for the registered charity or non-profit cause of their choice at the first eight Ticats regular home games this season. Scotiabank will also provide a $25,000 donation to the selected Scotiabank Game Changer finalist at the last home game of the year.

"Scotiabank Game Changers is a special program for us because it gives us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate people who give their time and their talents to making their communities a better place," said Kim Karges, Scotiabank District Vice President, Hamilton & Niagara District. "This program has allowed us to put a much deserved spotlight on some truly wonderful people and help support the causes that matter most to them. I want to encourage people to nominate someone who is making a difference today."

Throughout the regular season, fan voting and a jury panel will help decide home game Scotiabank Game Changers. Towards the end of the regular season, fans will have the chance to vote for their favourite Scotiabank Game Changer, and based on a combination of fan voting and a judging panel, the winner will receive $25,000 for their designated charity.

"It was an honour to win last year and share my story and the message that people living with disability are like everyone else, wanting to make a difference and be seen for who they are and not the assistive devices they may use," said Jessica Coriat, Hamilton's Scotiabank Regional Scotiabank Game Changer Winner in 2013. "The money that Scotiabank donated to my charity, the Toronto Rehab Foundation, helped them as they work to support innovative research projects and improve the lives of their patients and their families. This program is a great way to bring awareness to a number of important organizations in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area. I want to encourage people to nominate someone whose story deserves to be told!"

Tiger-Cats President and Chief Operating Officer Glenn Gibson remarked, "The Ticats are thrilled to team up with Scotiabank to honour inspiring individuals making a meaningful difference in the Hamilton community."

WHO IS AN ELIGIBLE 'SCOTIABANK GAME CHANGER'?

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, Sports and Environment. Judging criteria for the Scotiabank Game Changer selection is based on:

• Leadership
• Challenge
• Impact

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 at Facebook.com/ScotiabankGameChangers and follow us on Twitter at @Scotiafootball #sbgamechangers.

About Scotiabank:

Scotiabank is a leading financial services provider in over 55 countries and Canada's most international bank. Through Bright Future, our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level across six pillars: health, education, social services, arts and culture, environment and sports. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average some $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

Media Inquiries: 
Kate Weersink
High Road
kate.weersink@highroad.com
416-644-2241

Diana Hart
Scotiabank
diana.hart@scotiabank.com 
416-866-7238