text: Manulife Volunteer Awards support charities with $130,000 for Canada's Champions of Change
  More than 115,000 Canadians voted to choose top volunteers
  TORONTO, Jan. 17 /CNW/ - Canadians have voted and chosen the country's top two volunteers in CBC News/Outpost Magazine's groundbreaking search for Canada's Champions of Change, a national program promoting volunteerism and sustainable change, presented by Manulife Financial.
  Bob Davisson of Medicine Hat, Alta., who founded Lifeline Haiti with his wife in 2007, plus Bobby Hayes, founder of The Joshua Group in Saint John, N.B., were named the top two volunteers based on votes by Canadians for 10 finalists nominated across the country.
  The two winners were announced last evening during a national broadcast at 10:30 p.m. (11 NT), on CBC Television, and 9:30 p.m. ET/PT, on CBC News Network.
  Both grand prize winners received $25,000 each for their charities and the eight other finalists $10,000 each for their charities, courtesy of Manulife Financial, the presenting sponsor for Canada's Champions of Change.
  "Congratulations and thank you for sharing your tremendous volunteer stories with Canadians from coast to coast," said Paul Rooney, president and CEO, Manulife Canada.
  "Not only have you inspired Canadians through what you do but, as a finalist, you will receive a Manulife Volunteer Award and the right to direct a significant donation from Manulife Financial ($25,000 or $10,000) to your charity of choice. That will help your valuable volunteer efforts be felt by far more people."
  More than 115,000 Canadians voted for their favourites among the 10 finalists, who were chosen by a panel of judges from 2,000 nominations submitted from across the country.
  The Top 10 finalists honoured are:
  CATEGORY FINALIST ORGANIZATION
  EDUCATION, COMMUNITY & CULTURE Bob Davisson, 65
  Medicine Hat, Alta. Lifeline Haiti
  Bobby Hayes, 51
  Saint John, N.B. The Joshua Group
  ENVIRONMENT Eliza Olson, 71
  Delta, B.C. Burns Bog Conservation Society
  Jeff Schnurr, 25
  Sackville, N.B. Community Forests International
  HOUSING & INFRASTRUCTURE Welde Yemane, 29
  Saskatoon, Sask. Habitat for Humanity Canada
  Victor Fernandez, 54
  St. Albert, Alta. Canadian Association for
  Fire Services Abroad
  SOCIAL JUSTICE Jorge de Guzman, 61
  Sarnia, Ont. YMCA School of Self Defence
  Gladys Radek, 55
  Vancouver, B.C. Walk4Justice
  HEALTH & WELLNESS Dr. Christopher Opio, 56
  Prince George, B.C. Northern Uganda
  Lindsay Willms, 28
  Vancouver, B.C. Camp Good Times
  "The stories shared by each of our finalists have been truly inspiring," added Mr. Rooney. "I encourage all Canadians to visit the CBC Champions of Change website to learn more and read about these amazing volunteers."
  For more information and to view videos about Manulife's signature cause of volunteerism, please visit http://www.manulife.ca/canada/canada1.nsf/Public/signaturecause
  Media who require high-resolution video clips of the awards event, please contact: tom_nunn@manulife.com
  Every volunteer, every volunteer act, and every hour given back helps Canadians build a stronger future. And preparing for the future is something Manulife gets behind every day. To learn more about the Manulife Volunteer Commitment, visit www.manulife.ca.