Medicine Hat humanitarian and former RCMP officer Bob Davisson has been voted in as a top 10 finalist for CBC’s Champions of Change awards.

The Champions of Change awards run every year to help recognize Canadians who have shown exceptional volunteerism both in Canada and abroad.

Two finalists, one international and one national, will receive a prize of $25,000 to give to an organization of their choice. The remaining eight finalists will receive a prize of $10,000 for an organization of their choice.

Davisson was one of over 2,000 nominees. He was selected on behalf of his work in Haiti through the organization, Lifeline Haiti, which he started after being tremendously impacted by what he experienced in the cities of Jacmel and Chabin in 2005.

“I had this burden to help widows and orphans because I grew up that way with a single mom,” says Davisson.

In January 2007, Lifeline Haiti opened the doors to its first school in Chabin, Haiti meaning that 81 children were able to receive an education. Since then the organization has opened 51 schools and the number of students in those schools extends into the thousands.

Davisson says that winning a Champions of Change award would not only help his organization financially, but benefits the group with the publicity it receives.

Davisson and Wilbur Placide, Haitian pastor and partner in Lifeline Haiti, say the devastating earthquake earlier this year has left a dent of $300,000 in this year’s operating budget and has set back expansion plans for four more schools. Davisson says four schools would bring Lifeline Haiti’s student tally to 13,000. Students would be able to not only be educated but also receive a hot meal each day. The top 10 finalists can be viewed and voted for at www.cbc.ca/change and the two contest winners will be announced Jan. 2011 on CBC news. For more information on Bob Davisson and Lifeline Haiti, visit   www.lifelinehaiti.com.