Democracy 250 Shines Spotlight On Youth

Province House is shining a bit brighter thanks to 25 students supporting their community and a good cause.

Democracy 250 co-chair Russell MacLellan helped kick off Dalhousie Student Union's 2008 Shinerama campaign today, Aug. 28, at Province House. Mr. MacLellan was the first to have his shoes shined as part of the annual campaign, which helps raise money for cystic fibrosis research in Canada.

"These students are proof positive that youth can make a difference in our communities," said Mr. MacLellan. "Young people aren't just making their mark here in Nova Scotia -- through the Shinerama campaign, Dalhousie students are affecting change all over Canada."

A donation of $250 made Democracy 250 the first official contributor to the student union's Shinerama campaign.

"This is a great way to kick off one of our region's biggest Shinerama campaigns," said Bruce Thompson, president of Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Scotia Chapter. "Through the hard work of post-secondary students in Nova Scotia and across the country, we're getting closer each day to finding a cure for this disease."

On Tuesday, Sept. 2, more than 1,200 Dalhousie students will flood the streets of Halifax, shining shoes, washing cars, singing songs, and sweeping litter during its annual Shinerama campaign.

Shinerama is Canada's largest post-secondary student fundraiser in Canada and helps support cystic fibrosis research. Last year, the Dalhousie Student Union's Shinerama campaign raised more than $48,000, bringing the university's 42-year total to $682,000.

Money raised goes directly to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the world's second largest non-governmental granting agency for cystic fibrosis research. Funds granted go toward improved care and treatment for people with CF, seeking control over the disease or a cure for it. CF is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting young Canadians.

For more information, visit www.dsu.ca/campuslife/shinerama .

Democracy 250, is a year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of parliamentary democracy in Canada.

For more information, visit the Democracy 250 website at www.Democracy250.ca .