VANCOUVER, July 3 /CNW/ - The Minerva Foundation for BC Women is pleased
to welcome TD Bank Financial Group as a corporate supporter of their Combining
Our Strength(TM) initiative. TD has generously pledged $125,000 over five
years that will be used to provide programs and opportunities for Aboriginal
women in the areas of education, leadership development, economic security and
safety.
    "To have strong, vibrant communities we need organizations such as the
Minerva Foundation to provide services that have a real impact for women in
the Aboriginal community," said Kerry Peacock, Senior Vice President, TD
Canada Trust. "TD is pleased to be able to lend support and I know that the
Minerva Foundation will be a very positive force in these womens' lives."
    TD joins Combining Our Strength donors and sponsors Bell, BC Hydro,
Canadian Natural Resources Limited, Deloitte, EnCana and the Government of
British Columbia. Together they enable the Minerva Foundation to assist
Aboriginal women with the challenges that they face in their communities today
and in creating a legacy for the future.
    "The Combining Our Strength initiative is unique in that it is a
partnership between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women who are working
together to build capacity within the Aboriginal community to produce systemic
change with sustainable results," says Jody Wilson, co-chair of the Combining
Our Strength council. "We are fortunate to have the support of TD Bank
Financial Group. Their sponsorship will assist the Minerva Foundation to
continue to provide opportunities for Aboriginal women."

    About the Minerva Foundation for BC Women:

    The Minerva Foundation for BC Women is an independent non-profit
organization that aims to inspire and empower women and girls to reach their
full potential by creating opportunities and offering programs through trusted
partnerships, in the areas of education, leadership development, economic
security, and safety. In 1999 a group of concerned BC women formed the Minerva
Foundation to help improve the lives of women and girls throughout the
province of BC. The Minerva Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of
Directors who oversee the allocation of education awards and community grants
to women centered organizations and provides direction for the Minerva Helping
Women Work(TM) program and the Foundation's leadership development programs,
including Learning to Lead(TM) and Follow a Leader(TM), as well as its
Combining Our Strength(TM) initiative partnering with Aboriginal women.

    TD Community Giving: Making a Difference Together

    Children's health, literacy and education, and the environment are the
three main areas of focus for community giving at TD. Flagship programs within
these areas include: TD Children's Hospital Fund; TD Friends of the
Environment Foundation; TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup; TD Canadian
Children's Book Week; TD Canada Trust Scholarships for Community Leadership;
and the TD Summer Reading Club. With support from customers and employees, TD
is also involved with a host of national, regional and local causes benefiting
diversity, arts and culture and other community programs. In 2007, TD donated
$33 million to more than 2,000 organizations across Canada.

For further information: Jill Thomas, Communications Coordinator, The
Minerva Foundation for BC Women, Phone: (604) 683-7635, Email:
jill@theminervafoundation.com; Kristen Coutts, TD Bank Financial Group, Phone:
(416) 983-0390, Email: kristen.coutts@td.com