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TD Friends of the Environment Foundation $100,000 Go Green Challenge helps turn visions into reality

3 minute read
By TD Bank Group
• Oct. 9, 2008
TORONTO, Oct. 9 /CNW/ - Students who dream of living in a greener community have a chance to turn those hopes into reality with the help of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) $100,000 Go Green Challenge. TD FEF has announced a call for entries for the second annual Go Green Challenge, a national competition inviting student teams to submit an essay, containing an idea or proposal that has a positive environmental impact on a community. Teams of two or more students are asked to submit an essay (maximum of 4,000 words and 20 pages) about an idea that fits within the theme of urban sustainability. A judging panel will choose four winning submissions and each respective team will receive a $25,000 cash prize which could be used towards bringing their idea to life. The challenge is open to all legal residents of Canada who are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a Canadian college or university. "We had an overwhelming response from last year's inaugural challenge. Students have big ideas to help improve the environment and TD wants to give them the kick-start they need to help turn their vision into reality," says Mary Desjardins, Executive Director, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. Last year, 87 teams from 40 schools across the country competed in the first $100,000 Go Green Challenge, demonstrating that Canadian students are serious about making a difference to help the environment. The 2007 winning teams included students from the University of Alberta, University of Waterloo, York University and a combined team from McGill University, McMaster University and the University of Calgary. "Some of my environmental students come up with great ideas for making our communities more sustainable, but they simply don't have the resources to take it to the next step," says Martin Smith, Professor and Coordinator, Environment, Niagara College. "This year, we're incorporating the Go Green Challenge into our volunteer and environmental programs' curricula so these students have the chance bring their ideas to life." As the competition is open to students in universities and colleges across the country, the $100,000 Go Green Challenge will be promoted on campuses, in some cases along with a pilot project currently underway called the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation "Campus Motivator" program. This program encourages students at 12 Canadian university campuses to work with their peers to make their schools and local communities more environmentally-friendly. "As a TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Campus Motivator, I'm working hard to encourage my fellow students to take action and get involved in campus programs to help better our community and environment," says Rufaro Mudimu, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Campus Motivator, York University. "Participating in the $100,000 Go Green Challenge is a great way to make a difference and receive much needed cash to help pay for the cost of education. The prize money can also be used to help get winning ideas off the ground. The response I have received to the program has been outstanding." For further information about the $100,000 Go Green Challenge and to view the rules, visit www.tdcanadatrust.com/gogreen. The deadline for entries is Friday, January 16, 2009. Each entry will be reviewed by an independent judging panel whose role will be to identify four winning submissions that most accurately meet the challenge and judges' criteria. Selection of the four prize-winning entries will be made in Toronto in March 2009. About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) Since 1990, TD FEF has provided $45 million in funding to over 17,000 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2007, FEF provided $3 million in support of 830 projects. Thousands of TD customers and employees donate to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Financial Group contributes in excess of $1 million annually. TD also covers the management costs of running TD FEF; this ensures 100 percent of every dollar donated goes directly to funding environment and wildlife projects in the community where the donation was made. For more information on how to donate and get involved in your community, visit www.fef.ca. For further information: Matthew Cram, TD Bank Financial Group, (416) 983-1514, matthew.cram@td.com; Carolyn Abbass, Christine Newlands, Paradigm Public Relations, (416) 203-2223, cabbass@paradigmpr.ca, cnewlands@paradigmpr.ca

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