TORONTO – Greater Toronto Area (GTA) charities, community partners and SMBs are gathering today to celebrate how social responsibility can pay dividends for your customers, staff, and bottom line at the Telus Celebration of Giving event at Telus House Toronto. Telus and its team members expect to give more than $5.5 million to GTA-based charities and community organizations in 2012, including $700,000 in funding for grassroots, youth-focused charities in the GTA through Telus’ Toronto Community Board.
"Today's Celebration honours the resilience of Greater Toronto Area grassroots organizations and the continuous efforts they put forward to create healthier communities," said Frances Lankin, Telus Toronto Community Board Chair. "Telus’ philosophy to give where we live coupled with the ongoing commitment of the Telus Toronto Community Board will continue to support GTA organizations who work tirelessly to help empower a new generation of opportunity for youth."
At the event Telus provided tips and tricks for small- and medium-sized business owners on how investing in their community and becoming socially responsible helps to strengthen business success. Guest speakers Marc Kielburger, co-founder and co-CEO of Free the Children and Me to We and Tal Dehtiar, president and founder of Oliberté Footwear spoke to how social responsibility has affected their businesses. Following the event, Telus also offered free workshops for charities on how volunteer organizations can ensure youth are protected from predators.
"Our small- and medium-sized business audience walked away today with a meaningful understanding of the impact corporate social responsibility and community investment has on both businesses' success and creating bright futures for communities," said Jim Senko, vice-president of Small and Medium Business Marketing at Telus. "At Telus, we have a philosophy – we give where we live. That philosophy is key to our investment in the community and to our own efforts in achieving best-in-class corporate social responsibility. The outcome of these efforts to our business is extraordinary and we are excited to see the same results happen with our business partners here and across the country."
