Sallies urge Xtra customers to vote for their favourite charity

The Salvation Army is urging Xtra customers to take part in the online "Telecom Charity Vote" that will see the company donate $250,000 to each of the four charities receiving the most votes.

Salvation Army Public Relations Secretary Major Robert Ross says that Telecom's charitable donation will be a real boost for the four successful charities and may have positive spin offs for charities in general.

'We would like to see as many Xtra customers as possible cast their vote for their favourite charitable organisation,' he says.

'By taking the time to vote, people can make a very significant and practical contribution in support of the selected charities.'

Major Ross says that the Charity Vote may also benefit charities in general by raising awareness about the charitable sector and the importance of their work in benefiting the community.

Statistics New Zealand figures issued last month showed that non-profit organisations contributed $3.64 billion to the country's gross domestic product in 2004.

'If the voting process encourages people to think about the value of charities and how they can personally help, for example by signing up for volunteer work, then the charitable sector as a whole will be better off.'

Major Ross says that the Charity Vote is a positive way for Telecom to acknowledge recent problems for its customers while at the same time benefiting the wider community.

The Telecom Charity Vote begins on 5 September and people have about a month to cast their vote at www.charityvote.co.nz

ENDS

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