About 120 students in Nelson will receive a nice surprise in time for the new school year — a backpack filled with basic school supplies they likely would not have been able to afford otherwise.
Earlier this summer, Telus community ambassadors in the West Kootenay gave 120 school bags filled with supplies to elementary, secondary and alternative schools in the Nelson area. School officials will distribute them to students in need.
Across Canada, nearly 9,500 students will receive a kit this fall, thanks to the Telus Kits for Kids program.
This year, Telus community ambassadors in the West Kootenay rolled up their sleeves and prepared the school bags for young students in Nelson, filling them with the necessary school supplies for each grade: pencils, glue sticks, notebooks, loose leaf paper, scissors, erasers, pencil cases, rulers, and much more.
This initiative was part of the Telus Day of Giving, an annual event during which Telus team members from across Canada donate their time and help local organizations.
“Going to school in September is a challenging time for many young people. They don’t need the added strain of not being able to afford the basic school supplies all their friends have, not to mention the impact that can have on their ability to learn and grow,” said Marge Witton, president of Telus community ambassadors in the West Kootenay.
“They deserve the same chance as every other student, and we’re determined to provide it to them. Telus’ community ambassadors are volunteers who are passionate about Telus’ ‘we give where we live’ philosophy, and this work of equipping kids for school has been an integral part of the Telus community ambassador tradition for many years.”
Every year, Telus ambassadors provide volunteer services at community events and support dozens of philanthropic programs and initiatives.