TELUS is giving free school supplies and backpacks to 13,000 Canadian youth to help support a safe and successful return to learning

Rhea-AI Summary

TELUS has launched its Kits for Kids program, donating 13,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies and reusable face masks to support students in need during the back-to-school season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its inception in 2006, the initiative has reached over 163,000 children. In addition, TELUS has committed $150 million for pandemic relief efforts, which include providing internet access for low-income families and donating mobile devices to seniors. The company aims to connect all Canadians and enhance community welfare through these initiatives.

Positive

• TELUS donated 13,000 backpacks to support vulnerable students during the pandemic.
• Since 2006, over 163,000 Kits for Kids have been distributed nationwide.
• Committed $150 million to pandemic relief, enhancing community outreach.

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• None.

OTTAWA, Sept. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TELUS is donating 13,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies and a reusable face mask as part of its annual Kits for Kids program. Since 2006, TELUS has proudly distributed over 163,000 Kits for Kids nationwide to local schools to support students in need.

“The back-to-school season can be a trying time for many families, particularly those who are most vulnerable. This school year presents additional concerns as parents and students navigate the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO, TELUS. “To alleviate some of the burden, our Kits for Kids program provides backpacks laden with essential school supplies and critter masks to children whose families need them the most. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated TELUS Community Ambassadors for their longstanding support of this initiative, as we strive to help youth realize their full potential and create a friendlier future for all Canadian families.”

Each kit includes a backpack, lined paper, exercise books, a pencil case, colouring pencils, pencils, pens, erasers, a ruler, and a TELUS WISE insert with helpful tips and resources for how to be safe online. To help stop the spread of COVID-19, this year, the kits will also include a reusable, youth-sized TELUS critter mask. The reusable cloth masks featuring TELUS’ loveable critters and nature themes are available, in youth and adult sizes, while quantities last. The masks are dual-layered, made out of 100 percent recycled polyester on the outside and 100 percent organic cotton on the inside, adhering to the guidelines set by the TELUS Medical Advisory Council.

Passionate about giving back and providing a vital connection to our local communities, 5,000 retired and current TELUS team members volunteer as TELUS Community Ambassadors in 23 clubs across B.C., Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. In 2020, they will donate almost 200,000 care items including 150,000 hand sewn masks, 13,000 Kits for Kids (backpacks filled with school supplies and a TELUS critter mask for less-fortunate children) and 15,000 Comfort Kits (basic toiletries and comfort items for homeless and displaced families).

Since March, TELUS has committed $150 million to support citizens in Canada and globally during the pandemic including:

• Partnering with school boards to offer high speed Internet to the home for only $9.95 per month to families and K-12 students in need.
• Keeping Canada’s most vulnerable citizens connected, including seniors in long-term care home by donating more than 14,000 free mobile devices and rate plans, valued at more than $8.75 million, to hundreds of organizations across the country.
• Offering adult and youth sized TELUS reusable critter masks featuring TELUS’ loveable critters and nature themes, on telus.com and in select stores across Canada, with all proceeds going to TELUS Friendly Future Foundation supporting COVID-19 relief efforts across Canada. To date, TELUS has raised more than $300,000 for the Foundation.
• Extending the TELUS Mobility for Good program to every single province and territory in Canada to support young people who have aged out of foster care stay connected with access to a free smartphone and fully subsidized plan from TELUS for two years.

To learn more about how TELUS gives back to communities across the country, visit telus.com/community.

About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a dynamic, world-leading communications and information technology company with $15 billion in annual revenue and 15.4 million customer connections spanning wireless, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video and security. We leverage our global-leading technology to enable remarkable human outcomes. Our longstanding commitment to putting our customers first fuels every aspect of our business, making us a distinct leader in customer service excellence and loyalty. TELUS Health is Canada's largest healthcare IT provider, and TELUS International delivers the most innovative business process solutions to some of the world’s most established brands.

Driven by our passionate social purpose to connect all Canadians for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give where we live has inspired our team members and retirees to contribute $736 million and 1.4 million days of service since 2000. This unprecedented generosity and unparalleled volunteerism have made TELUS the most giving company in the world.

For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com, follow us @TELUSNews on Twitter and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram.

For more information, please contact:
Saara Rahikka
TELUS Media Relations
saara.rahikka@telus.com

FAQ

What is TELUS's Kits for Kids program?

TELUS's Kits for Kids program provides backpacks filled with essential school supplies and reusable face masks to students in need.

How many backpacks did TELUS donate in 2020?

In 2020, TELUS donated 13,000 backpacks as part of its Kits for Kids program.

What financial commitment has TELUS made during the COVID-19 pandemic?

TELUS has committed $150 million to support various pandemic relief efforts.

How many Kits for Kids has TELUS distributed since 2006?

Since 2006, TELUS has distributed over 163,000 Kits for Kids nationwide.

What additional items are included in the Kits for Kids?

Each Kit for Kids includes school supplies like paper, pencils, and a TELUS critter mask.