Eight-year-old from Saskatoon Boys and Girls Club Wins Microsoft Canada's
National Holiday Greeting Card Contest

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 9 /CNW/ - Roselle Castro , an eight-year-old girl from Boys and Girls Club of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan is this year's winner of Microsoft Canada's 13th annual Holiday Greeting Card contest. To capture the essence of the holiday spirit, children from Boys and Girls Clubs across Canada were invited to design a holiday card based on the theme "This holiday season I promise to...." Roselle's card was selected from over 800 entries. Her artwork will appear on Microsoft Canada's corporate holiday greeting cards that will be distributed to thousands of Microsoft employees, customers and partners across the country.

"Microsoft believes that every child has creative potential; the greeting card contest encourages children to express their creativity through art." said Gavin Thompson , Director of Citizenship, Microsoft Canada . "Roselle's holiday card was very imaginative and her message "...let in peace" was true to this year's theme."

Microsoft Canada presented Roselle with a laptop computer loaded with Microsoft software, a printer and a laptop bag. Microsoft also awarded the Boys and Girls Club of Saskatoon with a $1,000 donation. Microsoft Canada works with Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada across the country to provide programs designed to empower children and youth through technology. This is the 13th year that Microsoft has partnered with Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada on this initiative.

"Being the contest winner is very exciting! I've been writing about the whole experience in my journal." said Roselle. "I'm very happy and excited to test out my brand new laptop!"

"We are all very proud of Roselle's artistic talents." said Karen McCullagh, Regional Director, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada , Western Region. "We believe it's important to foster creative development among children and youth and Microsoft's greeting card contest is a fun activity that encourages all of our members to express their artistic skills and imaginations."

About Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada

Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada is a leading charitable organization providing programs that support the healthy physical, educational and social development of more than 200,000 children, youth and their families each year. In 700 community locations across Canada , clubs offer after-school programs in physical recreation, technology, the arts, personal growth and more. Many clubs also provide meals, emergency shelter, family support programs and other supports to children and youth at risk. Boys and Girls Clubs have been helping young Canadians to discover, develop and achieve their potential, for over 100 years. To learn more, visit www.bgccan.com.

About Microsoft Canada

Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has nine regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. For more information on Microsoft Canada , please visit www.microsoft.ca.

For further information: Sherline Joe, Media Profile, [email protected], [phone]