Technology for Teachers Fund enhances the technology experience for kids in the classroom

TELUS Technology for Teachers Fund provides grants to support technology projects and equipment upgrades

HALIFAX, Feb. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - TELUS announced today it has introduced a new grants program to help fund technology projects and equipment upgrades in Nova Scotia schools. As part of TELUS' ongoing commitment to give where we live, TELUS' Phones for Good Campaign will give $25* from each TELUS smartphone purchased in Nova Scotia until August 7, 2013 to a newly created TELUS Technology for Teachers Fund.

The TELUS Technology for Teachers Fund will allow local schools to apply for grants up to $5,000 to bring technology upgrades into their classrooms. The total donations from the smartphone campaign will go towards supporting this new program to improve educational opportunities for kids in Nova Scotia. The grants can be used for any technology improvement in schools such as SMART boards, iPads or laptops for classrooms.

"We believe connecting kids and their classrooms to new technologies has become imperative part of economic success in our high-tech society," Gen. (Ret.) Rick Hillier, Chair of the TELUS Atlantic Canada Community Board. "TELUS saw an opportunity to give back by making direct contributions to improve classroom resources in the area they know best -- technology. As part of TELUS' long-standing commitment to give back to local communities, we are thrilled to bring the Technology for Teachers fund to Nova Scotia schools."

Teachers interested in applying for a technology grant can complete an online application beginning today. The TELUS Atlantic Canada Community Board plans to work with members of the education sector to participate in the selection process and disburse funding which will be awarded at the start of the 2013 school year.

TELUS is able to fund community projects like the TELUS Technology for Teachers Fund thanks to the support of customers. When customers join TELUS, they get more than a product or service - they help make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others in their community. Thank you.

Since 2000, TELUS and our more than 240 team members and retirees have contributed more than $6 Million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations initiatives in Nova Scotia. More importantly, our team has volunteered more than 5,500 hours to supporting Atlantic Canada charities and community organizations including the Colchester Hospice, Chisholm Youth, Marigold Theatre and the IWK.

The TELUS' Phones for Good campaign is available to all customers who activate a new smartphone at TELUS locations in Nova Scotia between February 7, 2013 and August 7, 2013. The TELUS Phones for Good program in Atlantic Canada has donated more than $800,000 to organizations such as IWK Health Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs and Janeway Children's Hospital Foundation.

*up to a maximum of $75,000. Eligible on all new TELUS smartphone activations in Nova Scotia.

About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a leading national telecommunications company in Canada, with $10.9 billion of annual revenue and more than 13.1 million customer connections, including 7.7 million wireless subscribers, 3.4 million wireline network access lines, 1.4 million Internet subscribers and 678,000 TELUS TV customers. Led since 2000 by President and CEO, Darren Entwistle, TELUS provides a wide range of communications products and services, including wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, television, entertainment and video.

In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed more than $300 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered 4.8 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Fourteen TELUS Community Boards lead TELUS' local philanthropic initiatives. TELUS was honoured to be named the most outstanding philanthropic corporation globally for 2010 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international recognition.

For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com.

SOURCE: TELUS Corporation

Holly Dunn
Dunn & Associates Communications and Public Affairs
902-422-6014
[email protected]