Finalists selected in Aviva Community Fund competition

After four rounds and over 2.5 million votes, Aviva Canada has announced the finalists of the 2013 Aviva Community Fund competition.

“It’s through voting that Canadians get their say on how we help create positive change across the country,” Debora Hendrickson, senior vice president at Aviva Canada commented in a statement announcing the finalists. “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 review the ideas to decide which projects will receive full funding. Winners will be announced Jan. 28, 2013 on CTV’s Canada AM.

Each of the 30 finalists are eligible to receive the full amount for which they applied, abd every finalist not selected for full funding will receive $5,000 towards their cause.

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. The Fund has 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.

The finalists include:

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)