Media advisory - Backpacks for Kids Program

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photo and media opportunity

HALIFAX, July 17, 2012 /CNW/ - Bell Aliant President & CEO Karen Sheriff is kicking off the 10^th anniversary of the company's Backpacks for Kids campaign with a school bus tour to company offices in the metro Halifax area.

It is estimated that between 60,000 and 70,000 elementary school aged children live in low income households in markets served by Bell Aliant in the Atlantic Provinces, Quebec and southern Ontario.  Many of these children start the school year without the necessary supplies.

The Backpacks for Kids program helps address this need. Since 2003, Bell Aliant employees have filled and distributed more than 20,000 backpacks to families in need across six Canadian provinces. This year Bell Aliant has set a goal to fill 6,500 backpacks with supplies during the month of August.

What:

• Backpacks for Kids campaign kick-off

Who:

• Karen Sheriff, President & CEO, Bell Aliant ; Doug MacDonald, Executive Director, Ward 5, Dianne Swinemar, Executive Director, Feed Nova Scotia, Bell Aliant employees

When:

• Thursday, July 19, 2012 12:00 - 12:35 p.m.

Where:

• Bell Aliant corporate offices - Scotia Square Duke Street, enter across from City Hall

Ms. Sheriff will be available to answer media questions about the Backpacks for Kids program. Please register by contacting the media representative below.

Media contact:
Katherine VanBuskirk
Bell Aliant
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]