It’s taken four rounds and 2.5 million votes, but the finalists for the 2013 Aviva Community Fund have finally been determined - a fund that has generated positive change and a positive corporate image for one of Canada's leading insurance companies.
“It’s through voting that Canadians get their say on how we help create positive change across the country,” said Debora Hendrickson, senior vice president at Aviva Canada. “We now rely on the expertise and insight of our panel of impartial judges.”
The 2013 Aviva Community Fund judges include eTalk anchor Tanya Kim, David Suzuki Foundation CEO Peter Robinson, Calgary Foundation president and CEO Eva Friesen, President and CEO of United Way Centraide Canada Dr. Jacline Abray-Nyman and author and journalist Bruce Sellery. The judges will decide which projects will receive full funding.
The winners will be announced January 28, 2014 on CTV’s Canada AM. To see the 2012 winners, click here.
Each of the 30 finalists are not only eligible to receive the full amount for which they applied, but every finalist not selected for full funding will receive $5,000 towards their cause, says Hendrickson.
Created in 2009, the Aviva Community Fund is a competition that asks Canadians to submit and vote for ideas that create positive change across the country. Projects have included help to get at-risk youth off the street and back into school.
The fund has already provided over $3.5 million in funding to 61 charities and community groups including youth programs, animal shelters, public schools, camps and centres for those affected by disabilities or illness. (continued.)
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The 2013 finalists by province are:
British Columbia
Let's Play Together! Evans Elementary Community Playground (Chilliwack)
Courtney & Skye Buck Memorial Courtyard at Raft River Elementary (Clearwater)
Project Ecole Mt. Prevost: Let's Get Moving! (Duncan)
North Island Wildlife Recovery Association (Errington)
Palsson Playground Improvement (Lake Cowichan)
Community Playground at Qayqayt (KUH-KITE) – (New Westminster)
Youth4Tap Windermere (Vancouver)
Alberta
Saint-André Playground Project (Beaumont)
Help Rebuild Alberta Flood-Ravaged Camp Gardner (Calgary)
Shelter from the Storm (Edmonton)
Ontario
I Am Awesome! Self Esteem & Empowerment Retreat (Emo)
The Cultural Café Project: Jobs for the Visually Impaired (Markham)
Vincent Massey Kindergarten Playground Renewal( Ottawa)
Give All the Paws at LAWS a New, Safe Home! (Smiths Falls)
Make a Splash for Stacey (Sundridge)
WesForYouthOnline.Ca....It's Okay to Ask for Help! (Walkerton)
Quebec
Une nouvelle cour d'école pour Gaston-Pilon! (Boisbriand)
Donnez un toit à notre piscine! (Quebec City)
Le parascolaire contre le décrochage scolaire au Paul-Hubert (Rimouski)
Refuge Anni-maux (St-Bernard)
New Brunswick
Help Us Help Animals by Completing Our New Shelter! (Dalhousie)
Aidez à la construction du refuge - Help Build the Shelter (Edmundston)
Be Their Best Friend (Moncton)
A Low Cost Cat Spay and Neuter Program in Saint John (Saint John)
Nova Scotia
The St. Margaret's Bay Skate Park Project (Hubbards)
Greyhound Pets of Atlantic Canada Society (Musquodoboit Harbour)
Newfoundland and Labrador
Change Islands Newfoundland Pony Sanctuary (Change Islands)
A Beagle's Dream (St. John's)
Prince Edward Island
Souris Playground for ALL (Souris)
Youth Engagement Centre for At-Risk Youth (Summerside)
