Port Alberni's Angel Mangussen Wins $100,000 Charity Donation at 100^th Grey Cup in Toronto

TORONTO, Nov. 25, 2012 /CNW/ - Sixteen-year-old Angel Magnussen has been named the Scotiabank National Game Changer and has won $100,000 which will be donated on her behalf to Variety - The Children's Charity of British Columbia. The announcement was made on-field during the second quarter of the 100^th Grey Cup in Toronto, where a $100,000 dollar cheque was presented to Angel.

"I like helping sick kids," said Angel Magnussen."Variety's kids need wheelchairs, walkers, talking computers, special medicines and their mom and dad to be with them at the hospital. I am happy to win $100,000 so I can help more kids. Thank you Scotiabank Game Changers Program for helping me to help sick kids."

Angel has been raising money for Variety - The Children's Charity of British Columbia since she was five years old. Angel was born with Down Syndrome and other complex heath issues, and has been assisted by Variety since she was young. For the past eleven years, Angel has made it her mission to help sick kids through a number of fundraising initiatives, such as knitting hats, selling pins and her own cookbook, and has raised more than $150,000 for Variety. This money has helped Variety buy toys for children in pediatric care and purchase specialized medication and equipment that allows children to walk, talk and hear. Angel's inspiring devotion and remarkable commitment to making positive impact in her community, is why she is the Scotiabank National Game Changer.

Angel was chosen by a combination of voting by an All-Star Jury panel made up of Michael "Pinball" Clemons - Vice-Chair of the Toronto Argonauts, Mark Cohon, -Commissioner of the Canadian Football League, Stewart Johnston - President, TSN, and Anatol von Hahn - Scotiabank's Group Head of Canadian Banking, and public voting earlier this month. Angel was selected based on the remarkable impact she's made in her community, her incredible leadership skills, and the challenges she has had to overcome to give back to the charity. Angel was one of eight Scotiabank National Game Changer Finalists, one for every CFL market, who were recognized on-field during the 100th Grey Cup game.

"Scotiabank congratulates Angel, a remarkable young Canadian hero who has truly changed the game in her community," said Anatol von Hahn, Group Head, Canadian Banking, Scotiabank. "Angel's compassion and her determination has led her to make lasting change for sick children and their families and every jury member was deeply inspired by her story. The Scotiabank Game Changers initiative has enabled us to uncover local heroes in many Canadian communities who do what they do because they care and we've had a chance to celebrate their amazing work. On behalf of the jury, and the Scotiabank Bright Future philanthropic program, I congratulate all of the Scotiabank Game Changers this season and send them a heartfelt 'thank you' for the hard work they do to improve the lives of others. We would also like to thank all of our partners who have helped make this program a tremendous success."

During the CFL regular season, Scotiabank recognized 72 Regional Game Changers and provided them with a $1,000 donation to the registered charity or registered non-profit organization of their choice. At the end of the regular season, eight Scotiabank National Game Changer Finalists were selected from the 72 Regional Game Changers, and received a VIP trip to the 100th Grey Cup in Toronto. The eight finalists recognized were:

British Columbia - Angel Magnussen, Variety - The Children's Charity of British Columbia
Edmonton - Curtis Hargrove, Stollery Children's Hospital
Calgary - Austin Grayston, Alberta Youth in Care & Custody Network
Saskatchewan - Erin Fogarty, Street Culture Kids Incorprated
Winnipeg - Ian Rabb, Two Ten Recovery Inc.
Hamilton - Shane Eickmann, GlobalMedic
Toronto - Anne Marie Batten, Street Health
Montreal - Judy Stevens, Share the Warmth

For more information about the Scotiabank Game Changers program, go to www.ScotiabankGameChangers.com, on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @ScotiaCFL  #sbgamechangers

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is a proud supporter of the Canadian Football League and is the Official Bank of the CFL, 100^th Grey Cup Festival, BC Lions, Edmonton Eskimos, Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts. Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $45 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

About the Canadian Football League

The Canadian Football League is our league. The Grey Cup is our national championship and Canada's largest annual single sporting event. We are proudly preparing for the 100th Grey Cup in 2012. The celebration will span the country and culminate in a tremendous festival and game in Toronto this November. We invite all Canadians to be a part of it.

SOURCE Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations

Image with caption: "British Columbia's Angel Magnussen was named the Scotiabank National Game Changer on-field at the 100th Grey Cup in Toronto where she was awarded a $100,000 donation to Variety - The Children's Charity of British Columbia. Presenting (left to right) is Scotiabank's Group Head of Canadian Banking Anatol von Hahn, TSN President Stewart Johnston, CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon and Michael "Pinball" Clemons, Co-Chair of the Toronto Argonauts. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121125_C3221_PHOTO_EN_21163.jpg

Image with caption: "Scotiabank National Game Changer Angel Magnussen, of Port Alberni, BC, embraces her mother, Cheryl at the 100th Grey Cup following the announcement that she won the $100,000 charity donation to Variety - The Children's Charity of British Columbia. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121125_C3221_PHOTO_EN_21162.jpg