United Way Care to Change Video Competition Winners Announced

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 15, 2011) - Cyber bullying, child poverty and children with developmental disabilities were the focus of the three top videos entered in United Way of the Lower Mainland's (UWLM) first Care to Change Video Competition.

UWLM launched the Care to Change Video Competition in March 2011 and invited the public to make movies that make a difference. BC youth (19 and under) and adults (20 plus) were invited to create and enter short films that would educate viewers on topics such as bullying, poverty, vulnerability and isolation, and inspire them to care for others.

Top prizes were awarded and determined by an expert judging panel, chaired by International Emmy award judge and FanTrust Entertainment Strategies President and United Way of the Lower Mainland board member Catherine Warren.

First place for the youth category went to Do You Like What's On Your Mind, submitted by Shyanne Fast; Nana Desmond; Marc Doucelin; Samantha Novekosky and Kaisen Jones, from Frank Hurt Secondary School in Surrey with the Canadian Red Cross and Reel Youth. Sometimes Facebook friends turn out to be real friends too. In this video, students speak out about cyber bullying.

First prize for the adult category went to The Dream, by Vancouver-based Diane Sugars and Greg Helem for the Disabilities Association of BC. The video shares poignant dreams two children have about experiencing success and feeling better about themselves.

The Viewer's Choice Award, determined by public voting went to Susan, a video about child poverty in BC, submitted by Clay Tang and Mark Lee, from Richmond.

Said Catherine Warren, "Seventy videos were entered into our competition. Our first Care to Change Video Competition has been a great success. Many of these videos exceeded our expectations and will help United Way to inspire people to support their community."

The following organizations provided generous sponsorship support for the Care to Change Video Competition at the Supporting Level: The Beat 94.5FM, The Province and VISO Give, an initiative of BroadbandTV.

To see the Care to Change videos visit: www.caretochange.ca.

For more information on the United Way of the Lower Mainland, visit: www.uwlm.ca.