MONCTON, NB, Aug. 28, 2013 /CNW/ - Bell Aliant's Backpacks for Kids will
provide school supplies to Moncton Headstart, making it easier for
hundreds of kids in Greater Moncton to start the year off right so they
can finish strong. This morning, the company delivered 200 backpacks,
school supplies and a cheque for $5,000 to the organization. The
donation means Moncton Headstart will be able to assist all children on
its list for this year.
The backpacks and supplies will go to elementary school children through
Moncton Headstart. The organization plans to use the $5,000
contribution to equip older children with supplies including scientific
calculators and dictionaries.
Bell Aliant's Backpacks for Kids is grounded in the belief that when many people contribute, they have the power to accomplish something far greater than they
could on their own. Since the program began in 2003, Bell Aliant has
purchased and delivered almost 28,000 backpacks that have been filled
with school supplies by employees and Bell Aliant Pioneers. Community
partners in Atlantic Canada, Ontario and Quebec ensure the supplies get
to kids in need. Last year alone, close to 8,000 children benefitted
from the program and this year the program aims to help 10,000.
"We recently learned that Moncton Headstart needed support to provide
supplies to 600 children heading back to school. We knew we could help,
so we made the call," says Paul Mann, Director of Sales for New
Brunswick. "Bell Aliant is really proud of the Backpacks for Kids
program and the difference it makes for families this time of year."
"We're excited Bell Aliant has partnered with Moncton Headstart to
support our school supplies program," says Lorie-Ann Carson,
Headstart's parents' program coordinator. "This initiative prepares
hundreds of children from low-income families to begin the school year
with materials that will help them achieve success. We live in a
wonderful community filled with individuals and businesses that have
big hearts and recognize the importance of community members helping
each other."
Contributions to Backpacks for Kids can be made online through the interactive website featuring informative videos on the campaign and its impact. Donations can also be made at
participating Bell Aliant stores in Greater Moncton.
About Moncton Headstart
Moncton Headstart is a charitable non-profit early family intervention
agency focused on building school readiness skills with children and
their parents. Programs and services aim to build healthy
relationships, improve self-esteem, develop new skills, enhance
existing skills, and encourage self-sufficiency. Headstart families are
continuously provided with opportunities and support for growth and
change. Headstart families sometimes struggle to meet their basic needs
and require services, resources awareness and programs to thrive and
grow.
About Bell Aliant
Bell Aliant (TSX: BA) is one of North America's largest regional
communications providers and the first company in Canada to cover an
entire city with FTTH technology with its FibreOP services. Through its operating entities it serves customers in six
Canadian provinces with innovative information, communication and
technology services including voice, data, Internet, video and
value-added business solutions. Bell Aliant's employees deliver the
highest quality customer service, choice and convenience.
Image with caption: "Bell Aliant delivers 200 backpacks, school supplies and $5,000 to Moncton Headstart, to help 600 kids in Greater Moncton start the year right. (CNW Group/Bell Aliant Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130828_C8713_PHOTO_EN_30213.jpg
Image with caption: "Bell Aliant delivers 200 backpacks, school supplies and $5,000 to Moncton Headstart, to help 600 kids in Greater Moncton start the year right. (CNW Group/Bell Aliant Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130828_C8713_PHOTO_EN_30212.jpg
SOURCE: Bell Aliant Inc.
