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Record Number of Charities and Fundraisers Sign up for Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon

Marketwired

HALIFAX, NS--(Marketwired - May 13, 2015) - A record 81 local charities and more than 1,200 walkers and runners have signed up to support the Scotiabank Charity Challenge and fundraise during the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon weekend, May 15-17.

"The success of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge is yet another example of communities building Blue Nose weekend into something bigger than six running events," said co-chair, Rod McCulloch. "Our mission is for Nova Scotians to be healthy and active; and raising half a million dollars annually to help people in our community serves our mission," he said.

Anne Melanson, President of Bloom Non Profit and fundraising consultant in Halifax is not surprised by the accelerated growth. "Even in a competitive fundraising environment, this event has grown every year for good reason. It's become a signature event for the region, Scotiabank has been an actively engaged sponsor partner, and the organizers make it very easy for donors to support runners with a secure online website," said Melanson.

Charity participation has gone from 17 charities to 81 in just six years and this year's fundraising goals of $530,000 is quadruple the $124,000 raised in the first year of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. Through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, participating charities keep 100% of the proceeds raised, as Scotiabank pays for all transaction and credit card fees.

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The Featured Charities of the 2015 Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon include:

  • Ecology Action Centre

  • Phoenix

  • Symphony Nova Scotia

For a list of additional charities participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, please see the attached backgrounder.

"The Scotiabank Charity Challenge is a unique part of this sporting event as it goes beyond the race to raise much-needed funds for local charities," said Craig Thompson, Scotiabank Senior Vice President for Atlantic Region. "I would like to congratulate the 2015 feature charities and encourage the public to support their favorite charity by signing up, fundraising and running this Saturday or Sunday."

Part of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge is a friendly competition between the charities for $25,000 in cash prizes consisting of $4,000 for 1st place, $2,500 for 2nd, and $1,500 for 3rd in the following categories:

  • The Official Charity that has the most fundraising runners.

  • The Official Charity that raises the most fundraising dollars.

  • The Official Charity that raises the largest amount of pledge dollars per fundraising runner.

  • An additional $1,000 for the Official Charity of the Fundraising Runner with the largest total dollars fundraised.

Scotiabank Charity Challenge - How to Get Involved!
There's still time to either participate, or donate to the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. If you've signed up to walk or run in any Blue Nose event, you can join your favourite charity team and start fundraising. Or, if you aren't participating in the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon, you can simply donate to a charity of your choice - it's fast and simple online at www.bluenosemarathon.com/charity-challenge/ and look under the "More Info" section.

About the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon
Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon 2015 takes place Victoria Day Weekend, May 15-17, and includes 5KM, 10KM, Half, Full, and Team Relay Marathons, as well as the Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Run. In addition to running and walking events, Blue Nose includes an Active Living Expo and the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. www.bluenosemarathon.com.

Run with us online at:
Facebook: Facebook.com/BlueNoseMarathon
Twitter: @BNMarathon, #BlueNose2015 and #runScotia

About Scotiabank
Through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and parts of Asia. We are dedicated to helping our 21 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking. With a team of more than 86,000 employees and assets of $852 billion (as at January 31, 2015) Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS.TO) and New York Exchanges (BNS.TO). Scotiabank distributes the Bank's media releases using Marketwired. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankNews.

Backgrounder

Additional local charities supported by the Scotiabank Charity Challenge

The Friends of Gilda's Society - Goal $8,000

  • Funds raised through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge support the Bear Buddies program for children under the age of 12 years with cancer in their life; and children who have a loved one with cancer.

  • Bear Buddy comes with a letter addressed to the child with suggestions on how to keep their Bear Buddy happy. It costs about $40 per Bear Buddy package to send out. Their goal is to raise $8000 which will allow them to send out 200 Bear Buddies in the next year.

Metro Non Profit Housing - Goal $10,000

  • Normally the charity engages in activities such as 'yard clean-ups' or tenant garden creation by providing tools, supplies, and garden beds.

  • When their boiler conked out five years earlier than expected, Metro Non Profit Housing suddenly had to come up with $15,000.

  • If their Scotiabank Charity Challenge fundraising is successful, the funds raised would help to cover the unbudgeted cost. The good news is that their new boiler is more environmentally friendly and fuel efficient.

Red Cross - Goal $10,000

  • In Nova Scotia alone, the Canadian Red Cross responds to a local disaster every 72 hours. These funds raised will support local Disaster Management Services including food, shelter, clothing and comfort to those who have experienced unexpected loss.

  • The cost to support a typical family of four after a local disaster for a couple of days is $1,400 -- so the funds raised will help seven families. This would include providing food, clothing, shelter and the basic needs (like tooth paste, brush, etc.).