Canadian Youth Are the Big Winners in the Aviva Community Fund

Eight winning entries selected from 25 finalists for funding of Canadian community improvement projects totalling $500,000.

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$500,000 to support change in communities across Canada

The team at Aviva has been truly inspired by Canada’s passion for positive change, with communities proposing over 2,000 ideas and casting more than two million votes over the course of the competition. - Maurice Tulloch, President and CEO, Aviva Canada

(PRWEB) January 25, 2010

Aviva Canada Inc. reaffirms its commitment to positive change with the announcement of the eight winning entries for the first ever Aviva Community Fund. The payout is $500,000 to community programs across the country.

Since October 2009, Canadians have been submitting ideas designed to lead, empower and support positive change in their communities. After several rounds of Canadians voting for their favourite ideas, 25 finalists were determined and presented to an impartial panel of judges who evaluated the entries and decided on which ideas would receive funding from Aviva Canada.

From coast to coast, the eight winning entries come from as far East as Malpeque, Prince Edward Island, and as far West as Burnaby, British Columbia – making a total six stops in between.

Meet the Aviva Community Fund Winning Entries

Big Ideas ($50,000 - 250,000)
Building a lodge for Camp Triumph: Malpeque, PEI – Camp Triumph is an adventure camp for kids from families living with chronic illness. The Aviva Community Fund will enable this camp to build a lodge for indoor activities and therapy programs.
Check out the video online.

Make Our Dream A Reality: Burnaby, BC – A communal playground shared by several schools, including the BC School for the Deaf. The Aviva Community Fund will enable this community to rebuild the playground with equipment suitable for children with special needs.
Check out the video online.

Prison Yard Playground: Brantford, ON – The Aviva Community Fund will enable the King George School to finish rebuilding playground structures, including an outdoor learning centre.

Scouting’s No One Left Behind: National – No One Left Behind breaks down financial barriers for Canadian children interested in scouting. Funding from Aviva Canada will help the Scouts Canada Foundation provide girls and boys from low-income families the opportunity to belong to a group that teaches important life skills, self esteem and community service.
Check out the video online.

Medium Ideas (10,000 - $50,000)
Joe’s Place – Hungry for Hope: Moose Jaw, SK – Joe’s Place Youth centre provides guidance, support, and work skills training for at-risk youth. The funding from Aviva Canada will be used to build a kitchen for Joe’s Place as well as install equipment and update the youth centre’s social areas.
Check out the video online.

Noël vert pour tous: Montreal, PQ – the Consortium Evolution is a not-for-profit organization that develops innovative and environmentally friendly solutions. With the funding from Aviva Canada, Consortium Evolution plans to collect unused holiday toys from Quebec-based schools in an effort to conserve the valuable energy and resources that were consumed in their production.

Small Ideas (up to $10,000)
Charity Champs: Toronto, ON –Charity CHAMPS will build a new online community for Canadians aged 13-25 that nurtures and develops socially responsible attitudes in youth through microphilanthropy.
Check out the video online.

Théâtre Multimédia: Montreal, PQ – this unique arts program will provide 50 low-income schools within the Point-de-l’Ile School board, the opportunity to attend and participate in local theatrical arts initiatives.

Quick Program Facts

2000 ideas submitted to the competition
Over 399,000 registrants to the Aviva Community Fund nationwide
2.02 million total votes casted in support for ideas
Over 67,000 total site comment engagement
Over 800 followers on Twitter
Over 1,300 fans on Facebook

Explore Aviva Community Fund interest and ideas at http://delicious.com/avivacommunityfund

About Aviva Canada:
Aviva Canada Inc. is one of the leading Property and Casualty insurance groups in Canada, providing home, automobile and business insurance to more than three million customers. Our group of companies has more than 3,300 employees, 40 locations and more than 3,000 independent broker partners. Aviva Canada products and services are delivered across the country under the following brands: Aviva, Aviva Pilot, Aviva Traders, Aviva Elite, Aviva Scottish & York and through S&Y Insurance Company. Aviva Canada Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UK-based Aviva plc, the world’s fifth largest insurance group. Please visit our web site at avivacanada.com and our innovative web tool at changeinsurance.ca.

Link to winners’ news release: http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archive/January2010/25/c3390.html
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