VIRGIN MOBILE CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO PASS MOTION 504 FOR A NATIONAL YOUTH
HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS DAY

Drives in Vancouver and Toronto support Member's Statement by
The Hon. Carolyn Bennett, M.P., M.D. on Motion 504

VANCOUVER, and TORONTO, Nov. 17 /CNW/ - Virgin Mobile and Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group, are asking Canadians to come out in full force today to call on our government to pass Motion 504 and declare November 17 a National Youth Homelessness Awareness Day. With drives at Waterfront Station in Vancouver and Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto, Virgin Mobile is pushing for greater awareness and asking Canadians to show their support for the more than 65,000 Canadian youth who don't have a place to call home.

"Today, on what should be National Youth Homelessness Awareness Day, Canadians will show their government how important the issue of youth homelessness is in their cities and their country," says Sir Richard Branson, founder, Virgin Group. "It's now the Canadian government's turn to take action by passing Motion 504 and giving youth homelessness the attention it deserves. No young person should have to face a night on the streets. With the support of the Hon. Carolyn Bennett, Virgin Unite and Virgin Mobile, the RE*Generation Movement will continue to advocate for National Youth Homelessness Awareness Day and, through events like the ones today, work to deliver opportunities for Canadians to get involved and make a difference for homeless youth."

Taking it to Parliament

The drives in Vancouver and Toronto will coincide with the Hon. Carolyn Bennett's, M.P., M.D. Member's Statement to Parliament today, which is based on an in-depth investigation into youth homelessness in Canada. If passed, Motion 504 will declare November 17 as an official National Youth Homelessness Awareness Day. This annual day will raise awareness of the youth homelessness issue in Canada and help get Canadians more involved in making a difference.

"I am rising in Parliament today to call for the passage of Motion 504, which is supported by my colleague Justin Trudeau, M.P., the Liberal Youth critic and Virgin Mobile's RE*Generation movement," says Bennett. "Motion 504 sheds a much needed light on a national issue, helping to make youth homelessness a policy priority and increase the potential for government funding."

How Canadians can help make a difference

Virgin Mobile is looking to make a difference and we want you to help!  From events today in Toronto and Vancouver, to donating just a bit of change, here are the four small steps that Canadians can take to make a big difference in the lives of at-risk and homeless youth:

1. Take Part & Help Out: Canadians who want to lend a helping hand can head to 504nyhad.com to find out about some of the great charities working to help at-risk and homeless youth across Canada who are looking for volunteers. To help mobilize Canadians to do more, Virgin Mobile and Virgin Unite are also hosting drives in Toronto and Vancouver today, on what would be National Youth Homelessness Awareness Day.
• Vancouver - Stop by Waterfront Station from 3 - 7 p.m. and show your support for the cause by signing the Motion 504 petition and making a small donation which will go towards purchasing hygiene kits for youth at shelters in Vancouver. Those who make a donation will receive a tasty hot chocolate and will also be entered into a draw to win one of 10 Virgin Mobile phones!
• Toronto - Bring a donation or hygiene kit item such as a toothbrush, soap, shampoo, body lotion or socks to Yonge-Dundas Square from 4 - 7 p.m. and to say thank you, we'll help you warm up with some hot chocolate!
2. Raise Funds: Virgin Mobile has raised more than $750,000 to date for Virgin Unite, in order to directly support young people.  To raise additional funds, Virgin Mobile is calling on Canadians to text REGEN to 30333 to donate $5. It may not be official yet, but in honour of National Youth Homelessness Awareness Day, Virgin Mobile is matching the first 10,000 text donations made today. Virgin Mobile Members can also add a $1 RE*Generation Common Cents™ donation to their monthly bill to support the movement.
3. Raise Awareness: Virgin Mobile has launched the website 504nyhad.com to host its petition and collect signatures in support of Motion 504. The site also provides information to help educate Canadians about the cause and what they can do to help. Canadians can go online to sign the petition to have the day made official or stop by today's events in Toronto and Vancouver where Virgin Angels will be collecting signatures.
4. Support Businesses that Support Youth: Support businesses that give youth a helping hand with mentorship and hands-on work experience. Where possible, Virgin Mobile is committed to the engagement of businesses that help to give youth a step up, such as Phoenix Printing, where Virgin Mobile's point-of-sale materials are printed. 

To find out more details on the four steps you can take, visit 504nyhad.com. 

About The RE*Generation Movement

The RE*Generation is Virgin Unite and Virgin Mobile's effort to empower a generation to help its own by bringing together organizations that care about Canada's at-risk and homeless youth and connecting them with people who want to help.

About Virgin Mobile Canada

Virgin Mobile Canada is Canada's #1 mobile youth company delivering the hottest phones on the hottest HSPA+ network.  Virgin Mobile Members also get access to must-see events, global roaming and award-winning customer service. J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Canadian Wireless Customer Satisfaction Study has awarded Virgin Mobile "Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Prepaid Wireless Service, Five Years in a Row"¹ and it has ranked Virgin Mobile "Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Postpaid Wireless Service"². 91% of customers would also recommend Virgin Mobile to a friend. 

The Virgin Mobile group of companies has attracted more than 15 million customers worldwide.  Virgin Mobile phones are available at more than 4,000 locations nationally including The Source, Virgin Mobile retail locations and additional retail partners. Virgin Mobile products can also be purchased online at www.virginmobile.ca or by calling 1-888-999-2321. Get personal with Virgin Mobile Canada on Facebook at facebook.com/virginmobilecan and Twitter at twitter.com/virginmobilecan.

About Virgin Unite

Virgin Unite is the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group. We unite people to tackle tough social and environmental problems in an entrepreneurial way. Our aim is to help revolutionize the way businesses, governments and the social sector work together - driving business as a force for good.  This is based on the belief that this is the only way we can tackle the scale and urgency of the challenges facing the world today. Virgin Unite's overheads are covered by Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin Group, meaning that 100% of additional donations received go direct to the frontline where they are needed most.  For more information please visit www.virginunite.com. Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/virginunite.

¹ J.D. Power and Associates 2005-2009 Canadian Wireless Customer Satisfaction Studies^SM. Study based on 15,207 total responses from consumers with prepaid wireless service, measuring 5 wireless service providers. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in October 2009. www.jdpower.com

² J.D. Power and Associates 2005-2009 Canadian Wireless Customer Satisfaction Studies^SM. Study based on 15,207 total responses from consumers with postpaid wireless service, measuring 9 wireless service providers. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in October 2009. www.jdpower.com

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