REGINA – SaskTel reinvested over $3.6 million in Saskatchewan last year, according to its corporate social responsibility report for the 2015/16 fiscal year entitled Breathing Life into Saskatchewan.
According to the report, SaskTel supported 1,041 non-profit and charitable organizations, community associations, venues, events, and partnerships last year, and reached 229 communities across the province through its community investment initiatives. The company said that it supports organizations that spearhead activities related to at least one of its four pillars of support, including technology, diversity, youth and rural.
Highlighted in the report are two community outreach programs that SaskTel leads. The “I Am Stronger” program is SaskTel’s social cause, working to fight bullying in local communities and schools. In partnership with the Ministry of Education, the program awards grants of up to $1000 for youth-led initiatives that promote kindness, and has awarded 25 grants totaling $23,735 to date. The “Phones for a Fresh Start” program creatively protects the environment while supporting women in transition. Since 2009, the program has recycled 84,998 wireless devices, which has allowed SaskTel to provide 1,992 phones and $60,000 worth of prepaid phone cards to women in transition across Saskatchewan.
Other initiatives include the SaskTel Pioneers program, which saw over 4200 employees volunteer over 49,000 hours and contribute more than $165,000 in charitable donations in 2015/16; the TelCare program that facilitated $294,622 in employee and SaskTel matched funds being reinvested in 67 different organizations; and $37,000 in educational scholarships.
“SaskTel’s roots in Saskatchewan go beyond providing a service,” said president and CEO Ron Styles, in the report’s news release. “Our dedicated team of employees live, work, raise families and volunteer here. We are committed to ensuring that our efforts can help the province to prosper and thrive for both present and future generations.”
