Northwestel Donates $180,000 to the Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation

Funds will support mental health services and the annual Christmas fundraising gala

Mark Walker, Northwestel’s Vice President of Business Markets, presented a cheque for $180,000 to Louise Dundas Matthews, Chair of the Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation, at a cheque signing ceremony this morning. The donation, made up of cash and value in-kind, will be distributed over the next three years to support the hospital’s mental health services and other projects.

Northwestel made mental health a focus of its community investment program following Olympian and mental health spokesperson Clara Hughes’ tour across the North this spring.

“We learned during Clara’s Big Ride that one in five Canadians will experience a form of mental illness” said Northwestel’s Mark Walker. “We will all be impacted by the disease in one form or another, no matter where we live. That is why Northwestel is committed to improving mental wellness across the North. By directing these funds to mental health services at the hospital we can support a critical community need.”

The $180,000 contribution announced today is in addition to the $270,110 Northwestel has already donated to the Hospital Foundation.

“Since Northwestel’s first donation 15 years ago, thousands of lives have been touched by their generosity,” said Louise Dundas Matthews, Chair of the Hospital Foundation. “This partnership continues Northwestel’s legacy of profoundly and positively improving healthcare at our Hospital.”

A portion of the $180,000 contribution will be used to fund the hospital foundation’s annual fundraiser, which will be named the Northwestel Festival of Giving Christmas Gala.

The Northwestel Festival of Giving Christmas gala takes place Saturday, November 22, at the Explorer Hotel. The event will raise funds to purchase much needed items listed in the Foundation’s Christmas Giving Catalogue. The items, ranging from bariatric scales to rocking chairs, help the Stanton Territorial Hospital provide the highest level of care, with the best equipment available, to all residents in the Northwest Territories and the Kitikmeot region of Nunavut.

About Northwestel:

Throughout its history, Northwestel has played a key role in the economic, social and cultural development of the North. Last year, it contributed more than $558,000 in cash and in-kind donations to a variety of northern community groups. Northwestel supports community initiatives that have a lasting social impact and that enable its employees to volunteer their time and talent.