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.
Christine Manore
Bell Aliant Corporate Affairs
506-859-3171 or 506-380-3505
[email protected]
Lorie-Ann Carson
Moncton Headstart
506-858-8252
[email protected]
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