Scotiabank – Investing in its community

Show in the cheque presentation are: Front row (from left) Jennifer Campbell, Terry Porter Back row (from left) Melissa Harrison, Kim Frizzell, David Wood, Chair Cumberland Health Care Foundation, Darlene Smith, Diana Bacon - Scotiabank Victoria Street Branch Manager, Lorraine Gaudet

Amherst, NS (October 2nd, 2009) - Scotiabank’s Victoria Street branch in Amherst has reached out this holiday season to help “light the way” for hospital patients in Cumberland through the sponsorship of a six-foot lighted tree for the Surgical Unit of the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre. 

“We believe in investing in our community,” said branch manager, Diana Bacon, “that includes helping to ensure that this regional hospital has the equipment it needs for patients.”    The sponsorship in the amount of $2,000 will be going towards the purchase of medical equipment such as new beds for the Intensive Care Unit and a portable ventilator for patients requiring breathing assistance.

This will be the 12th annual holiday campaign for the Cumberland Health Care Foundation.  Each year’s “Light the Way!” seeks to raise funds for new or replacement hospital equipment.  This year, the goal is to raise approximately $70,000 for replacement and new equipment in the Intensive Care Unit and Respiratory Therapy Department of the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre.

“We’re both thrilled and greatly appreciative”, said Joe Gauthier, managing director of the Cumberland Health Care Foundation, “for the generous support being provided to this year’s “Light the Way!” campaign from the Victoria Street Branch of Scotiabank.” 

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which they live and work, both in Canada and abroad.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2008 the Bank provided more than $43 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education, social services, and arts and culture.

“We hope and count on the support of our local communities in Cumberland,” stated Gauthier. It’s a time of year when many of us think of family, present and past, and what the holiday season means to them and to our community.  Things change a lot over the years but the holidays continue to bring hope to many people by sharing a gift that can help for many years.”

This year’s “Light the Way!” event will be held on Wednesday, December 2nd starting at 5:30 p.m. with the lighting occurring at approximately 6:15 p.m.