FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (2021/152)
November 24, 2021
BC Lions and TELUS Raise the Game Campaign Donates $20,000 to I·SPARC
Football campaign supports the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples in BC
Traditional Territory of the Quw’utsun (Cowichan) Tribes / Duncan B.C. (November 24, 2021) – The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I·SPARC), the BC Lions and TELUS are pleased to announce that the CFL Raise the Game Campaign has raised $20,000 during the 2020/21 CFL season to benefit the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples in BC. TELUS donated $1,000 for every field goal made by the BC Lions. During their game in Hamilton on Friday, November 5th, BC Lions kicker Nick Vogel made the team’s 20th field goal of the season, resulting in a $20,000 donation to I·SPARC.
“We are deeply honoured that the BC Lions selected I·SPARC for the campaign and grateful to TELUS for their generosity,” said Rick Brant, I·SPARC CEO.
“The money raised through the campaign will support youth-based community sport programs in Indigenous communities across the province. We are excited to build this impactful partnership with the BC Lions as we work together to further the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples through sport.”
The CFL Raise the Game Campaign is a new initiative by TELUS. The goal of the campaign is to provide more opportunities for youth to get access to sports experiences, and to give back to local communities across Canada. Every time a participating CFL team scores a touchdown or field goal during the regular season, TELUS gave to a youth charity, up to a maximum of $20,000. This year, the BC Lions selected to donate funds to I·SPARC, as a way of demonstrating their commitment to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples.
“We are proud to join forces with our long time partner TELUS to support such a great initiative,” said Lions director of community partnerships Jamie Taras.
“Given the success of our Orange Shirt Day game earlier this season and the football club’s increased awareness in regards to the importance of supporting Indigenous communities, we look forward to continuing our partnership with I·SPARC. This donation helps reinforce our long-standing commitment to youth in our community.”
“At TELUS, we are driven by the belief that good business and doing good go hand-in-hand,” said Jill Schnarr, chief social innovation and communications officer, TELUS.
“We are committed to being a valued partner on the road toward meaningful Reconciliation and are honoured to partner with I·SPARC and their incredible efforts to strengthen and support the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples in B.C. As Canadian business leaders, we are excited to build on our partnership with the BC Lions to continue to drive meaningful change and together, help make the future friendly for all Canadians.”
Participating teams and charities included the BC Lions and I·SPARC, the Edmonton Elks and Free Play for Kids, the Calgary Stampeders and The Stampeders Foundation Growing the Game Fund, the Ottawa REDBLACKS and the OSEG Foundation Girls on the Run program, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the BGC Hamilton-Halton, and the Montreal Alouettes and the Montreal Alouettes Foundation.
For more information about I·SPARC, visit www.isparc.ca.
From left to right, 1st row: Shireen Banaee, Alana Cook, Susan Meier, Cheryl Charlie, Rick Brant, Jean-Marc Damsgaard, Corinne McKay, Corey Charlie. From left to right, 2nd row: Jacquelyn Novak, Jamie Taras, Joel Harry, Lara Mussell Savage, Tiana Savage, Tara Nault, Greg Edgelow, George Chayka.
BC Lions Vice President, Business: George Chayka, BC Lions Owner: Amar Doman, I·SPARC CEO: Rick Brant and I·SPARC President: Corinne McKay.
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About the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council
The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is a provincial organization established with the purpose of improving the health outcomes of Indigenous peoples by supporting and encouraging physically active individuals, families, and communities. The programs and services delivered by I·SPARC are designed to build capacity and increase access to sport, recreation, and physical activity in First Nations communities, Métis Chartered Communities, Aboriginal Friendship Centres, schools, and other delivery agencies throughout British Columbia.
For more information, please visit: www.isparc.ca.
About the BC Lions
The BC Lions are Vancouver’s most successful professional sports organization with six Grey Cup titles: 1964, 1985, 1994, 2000, 2006 and 2011. Drawing on pride, decades of tradition, passion and a spirit of excellence, the BC Lions Football Club seeks to touch the lives of our community in a positive way and is dedicated to serving partners, sponsors and fans.
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a dynamic, world-leading communications technology company with $16 billion in annual revenue and 16 million customer connections spanning wireless, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video, and security. We leverage our global-leading technology and compassion to enable remarkable human outcomes. Our longstanding commitment to putting our customers first fuels every aspect of our business, making us a distinct leader in customer service excellence and loyalty. In 2020, TELUS was recognized as having the fastest wireless network in the world, reinforcing our commitment to provide Canadians with access to superior technology that connects us to the people, resources and information that make our lives better. TELUS Health is Canada’s leader in digital health technology, improving access to health and wellness services and revolutionizing the flow of health information across the continuum of care. TELUS Agriculture provides innovative digital solutions throughout the agriculture value chain, supporting better food outcomes from improved agri-business data insights and processes. TELUS International (TSX and NYSE: TIXT) is a leading digital customer experience innovator that delivers next-generation AI and content management solutions for global brands across the technology and games, ecommerce and FinTech, communications and media, healthcare, travel and hospitality sectors. TELUS and TELUS International operate in 25+ countries around the world. Together, let’s make the future friendly.
Driven by our passionate social purpose to connect all citizens for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give where we live has inspired TELUS, our team members and retirees to contribute more than $820 million and 1.6 million days of service since 2000. This unprecedented generosity and unparalleled volunteerism have made TELUS the most giving company in the world.
For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com, follow us @TELUSNews on Twitter and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram.
Media Contact:
Shireen Banaee
Manager, Communications and Recognition Programs
sbanaee@isparc.ca
C. 778.677.0174
Matt Baker
BC Lions Manager, Communications and Content
mbaker@bclions.com
C. 778-873-7605
Lena Chen
TELUS Communications
lena.chen@telus.com
