80,000 TELUS volunteers around the globe get ready for annual TELUS Days of Giving

In its 19th year, TELUS Days of Giving is a month-long global volunteer initiative led by the global communications company

TELUS volunteers contributed 1.5 million volunteer hours in 2023, more than any other company in the world

VANCOUVER, BC, May 1, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, TELUS announced its 19th annual TELUS Days of Giving, a month-long initiative rallying TELUS team members, retirees, and partners around the world to volunteer and give back in their local communities. At a time when charities are seeing an increased need for services, and companies are facing increased levels of disengagement, giving back helps foster meaningful connections, driving short and long-term benefits for individuals, teams and the broader community. According to the most recent Canada Helps Giving Report, 55.2 per cent of charities have fewer volunteers than before the pandemic and an alarming 57 per cent of charities are already unable to meet their current demand. Meanwhile, Gallup's latest research finds that 64 per cent of US employees are either actively disengaged or not engaged. Championed by TELUS team members for almost two decades, TELUS Days of Giving has since become its signature, global volunteer movement, supporting thousands of team members and charities alike. Last year alone, more than 80,000 volunteers gave back in 32 countries through thousands of volunteer opportunities, contributing to 1.5 million volunteer hours in 2023, more than any other company in the world. TELUS' goal is to match these record-breaking results in 2024.

TELUS team members joining forces to support a campus clean-up initiative for Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS), in Vancouver. (CNW Group/TELUS Communications Inc.)

TELUS International team members participating in a TELUS Days of Giving event, giving where they live, in Guatemala. (CNW Group/TELUS Communications Inc.)

At TELUS, we give where we live to communities in need around the globe. Join us for TELUS Days of Giving - our signature volunteer movement where thousands of volunteers give their time, dollars and skills.

"What began as a domestic initiative nearly 20 years ago, has grown into a powerful global movement with over 80,000 TELUS team members, retirees, family and friends coming together to make a meaningful difference in communities around the world," said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO, TELUS. "It is this unparalleled culture of caring that has inspired our TELUS family to contribute $1.7 billion, including volunteering 2.2 million days to charities and community organizations since 2000 – more than any other company on the planet. This generosity is reflective of our team's long-standing belief in the synergistic relationship between doing well in business and doing good in the global communities where we live, work and serve. Importantly, with the rising cost of living and overall decline in charitable giving, there is more reason than ever for companies to embrace this purpose-led journey. Please join us as, together, we make the future friendly for generations to come."

Companies with a strong social purpose experience a 52-per- cent lower turnover rate among new employees and have a more engaged workforce than ones that don't. Driven by its philosophy, "Give where we live", TELUS' unwavering commitment to giving back has served to fuel its incredible strategic growth from regional telecom provider to global technology powerhouse, with over 132,000 team members and retirees around the world. From cleaning local shorelines and parks, donating blood, planting trees, recycling old mobile devices, or volunteering at neighbourhood food banks, TELUS Days of Giving enables team members, their families, customers and retirees to foster deeper connections with each other while helping make a meaningful difference in their own backyard.

"As a TELUS Ambassador for over 30 years, I've seen the positive impact first-hand that small acts of giving can have on our communities." said Judy Haynes, TELUS Community Ambassador. "For nearly two decades, I've supported the heart pillows initiative, where TELUS Community Ambassadors - made up of thousands of current and retired TELUS team members - handcraft heart-shaped pillows for hospital patients, reminding them they are not alone and are supported by a community that cares. We've sewn over 62,000 pillows, and donated them to patients across Alberta and British Columbia. It's an incredible feeling when an organization, like TELUS, is just as passionate about giving back as their team members and retirees and empowers them to do so."

Throughout the month of May, TELUS is also encouraging customers to join them in raising funds for local animal charities by entering for a chance to win a special critter date experience and all expenses paid trip to Pegasus Animal Sanctuary, located in Ontario. For every entry TELUS will donate $1 to a local animal charity. Additionally, for less than $1/month customers can also join TELUS Change for Good, rounding up their monthly bill to support local youth charities through the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation.

To learn more about how TELUS is helping create a friendlier future for all, visit telus.com/purpose.

About TELUS

TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a dynamic, world-leading communications technology company with more than $20 billion in annual revenue and over 19 million customer connections spanning wireless, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video, and security. Our social purpose is to leverage our global-leading technology and compassion to drive social change and 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. The numerous, sustained accolades TELUS has earned over the years from independent, industry-leading network insight firms showcase the strength and speed of TELUS' global-leading networks, reinforcing our commitment to provide Canadians with access to superior technology that connects us to the people, resources and information that make our lives better.

Operating in 32 countries around the world, TELUS International (TSX and NYSE: TIXT) is a leading digital customer experience innovator that designs, builds, and delivers next-generation solutions, including AI and content moderation, for global and disruptive brands across strategic industry verticals, including tech and games, communications and media, eCommerce and fintech, banking, financial services and insurance, healthcare, and others.

TELUS Health is a global healthcare leader, which provides employee and family primary and preventive healthcare and wellbeing solutions. Our TELUS team, along with our 100,000 health professionals, are leveraging the combination of TELUS' strong digital and data analytics capabilities with our unsurpassed client service to dramatically improve remedial, preventive and mental health outcomes covering nearly 70 million lives, and growing, around the world. As the largest provider of digital solutions and digital insights of its kind, TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods enables efficient and sustainable production from seed to store, helping improve the safety and quality of food and other goods in a way that is traceable to end consumers.

Driven by our determination and vision to connect all citizens for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give where we live has inspired TELUS and our team to contribute $1.7 billion, including 2.2 million days of service since 2000. This unprecedented generosity and unparalleled volunteerism have made TELUS the most giving company in the world. Together, let's make the future friendly.

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

For media inquiries, please contact:
Saara Rahikka
TELUS Public Relations
[email protected]

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SOURCE TELUS Communications Inc.