Northwestel donated more than $12,000.00 to 26 northern charities and non-profit groups, as part of the company’s Volunteer Involvement Fund. The 2009 program was the most successful ever, in terms of the amount donated, the number of groups who will benefit and the number of employees involved.

Northwestel’s Volunteer Involvement Fund recognizes the volunteer work of Northwestel employees by making donations to community organizations with which they work. Since the fund was first established in 2002, it has provided approximately $74,000.00 in donations across the North. The amount of donations in 2009 is $12,400.00, representing more than 4000 hours of volunteer work last year.

“Northwestel is proud of our employees for the many ways that they work to make the North a better place to live,” said Paul Flaherty, Northwestel President and Chief Executive Officer. “Their volunteer efforts are given in so many areas. In 2009, for example, our employees volunteered for a wide variety of sporting activities, cultural groups, search and rescue organizations and community development groups. We encourage our employees to volunteer and the Volunteer Involvement Fund is a great way for us to support the work they are already doing.”

Each Northwestel employee can apply for one donation per year of $400.00. In order to apply, the employee must have volunteered a minimum 50 hours for a single organization during a one-year period.

Most groups receive a donation of $400.00. However, four organizations received a larger amount as part of the 2009 program, because more than one employee applied successfully on their behalf. The Yellowknife Ukrainian Association, Grey Mountain Lions Club and Whitehorse Mustangs Hockey Club received $800.00 and the Yellowknife Marine Rescue Society received $1200.00, all due to volunteer work by multiple Northwestel employees. There is a cap of $2000 per organization each year. That means it is possible for up to five employees to benefit the same organization in the same year.

In 2009, Northwestel contributed more than $550,000 in cash and in-kind donations to many northern community groups. Throughout its history, Northwestel has played a key role in the economic, social and cultural development of the North. Northwestel is recognized as a key contributor to the well-being of northern communities through its community investment program and the volunteer contributions of its employees.

Northwestel provides complete telecommunications solutions and entertainment services in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta. The company’s operations span nearly 4 million square kilometres of the most remote and rugged areas of Canada.

[see attached list of benefiting organizations]

Approved Applications for Volunteer Involvement Fund 2009