Ring in the Holidays by Doing some good with Virgin Mobile

Virgin Mobile unveils initiatives to support at-risk and homeless youth in Canada

TORONTO, Nov. 1, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - With the holidays and frigid weather fast approaching, Virgin Mobile is encouraging Canadians to give back and join in the fight against youth homelessness. Starting today until the end of the year, Virgin Mobile will kick off several new partnerships and returning programs to aid the RE*Generation movement in supporting at-risk and homeless youth in Canada. New upcoming RE*Generation events such as the Serena Ryder Benefit concert, as well as trusted Virgin Mobile favourites like Change for a Dollar and the re-launch of the Samsung Canada RE*Generation phone, will help Virgin Mobile Members and Canadians do good in their community while having fun this holiday season.

"The holidays prove to be a challenging time for youth as they fight not just homelessness and lack of resources, but the cold winter as well," said Joseph Ottorino, managing director, Virgin Mobile Canada. "We want to do our part to help and by amping up our efforts with RE*Generation, we're calling on Canadians to join us this holiday season and help create a warmer reality for at-risk and homeless youth in Canada this winter."

A RE*GEN RED HOLIDAY SEASON

Starting today, $15 from the sale of each Samsung Galaxy Ace II x will be donated to Virgin Unite's RE*Generation movement - with the goal of raising $200,000. All donations go directly to organizations across Canada that support at-risk and homeless youth. This is the fifth year Virgin Mobile and Samsung Canada have teamed up to offer a RE*Generation phone. Since 2009, more than $900,000 has been raised from the phones' sales thanks to Samsung Hope for Children, Virgin Mobile and its Members.

"The Samsung Hope for Children program aims to bring attention to children's needs in the areas of education, health and environmental sustainability," said Paul Brannen, Vice President, Enterprise Business Division at Samsung Canada. "The RE*Generation movement is incredibly important, which is why we are so proud to partner with Virgin Mobile on this program for the fifth year in a row. With programs like this, we can continue to empower Canadians to lend a hand and make a lasting change within their local communities."

This is one of the many programs Virgin Mobile will be offering in support of RE*Generation this holiday season. The full list of programs include:

• The RE*Generation Samsung Galaxy Ace II x, available at Virgin Mobile retail and online locations. Plus, Members at Wireless Wave and TBooth locations can score a free RE*Generation phone case with purchase. Head to www.virginmobile.ca/phones for more info.
• Virgin Mobile Presents Serena Ryder Benefit Concert on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at Montréal's Virgin Mobile Corona Theatre. Proceeds from the show support Montréal RE*Generation partner Dans la Rue. Tickets are currently on sale online for $20 each (plus taxes and applicable service charges).
• Change For A Dollar: Virgin Mobile Members can add $1 to their mobile phone bill each month. The monthly dollar will then be donated directly to Virgin Unite and the RE*Generation movement.
• Text To Donate: Whether or not they're a Member, Canadians can donate $5 to Virgin Unite and RE*Generation by texting REGEN to 30333.

POWER OF THE MOVEMENT

There are over 65,000 homeless youth in Canada. To date, more than $2.5 million has been raised through Virgin Mobile's RE*Generation and dispersed to youth serving agencies across Canada including:

• Over $70,000 raised for at-risk youth organizations through the RE*Generation benefit concerts. Past performers include Lady Gaga, Mother Mother, Bedouin Soundclash and Arkells.
• Since 2008, more than $200,000 has been raised from Change For A Dollar to support RE*Generation activities and donations.
• With the Virgin Mobile FreeFest experience, $20,000 in donations were dispersed across Canada to several non-profit organizations that assist in the fight against youth homelessness.
• Funding the pilot program of Phones For Change, where at-risk youth at Vancouver's Broadway Youth Resource Centre receive Virgin Mobile phones and plans while also receiving financial and budget management training.

To learn more about getting involved with Virgin Mobile's RE*Generation, check out www.virginmobile.ca/regen.

Virgin Unite's RE*Generation Movement

In early 2008, Virgin Mobile Canada and Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of the Virgin group of companies, joined together to create the RE*Generation movement and empower a generation to help its own.  The RE*Generation brings together organizations that care about Canada's homeless and at-risk youth and connects them with people who want to help. To date, more than $2.5 million has been raised and dispersed to leading youth serving agencies across the country through programs such as Change for a Dollar, limited edition Samsung RE*Generation phones and ongoing RE*Generation benefit concerts. For more information about RE*Generation, visit http://www.virginunite.com or go to www.virginmobile.ca/regen to sign up and join the movement.

About Virgin Mobile Canada

Virgin Mobile Canada rewards, entertains and connects like no one else, delivering the super-hot phones on the blazing fast 4G network.  Virgin Mobile Members also get benefits like exclusive VIP access and deals and award-winning service. 91% of Members would also recommend Virgin Mobile to a friend.

The Virgin Mobile group of companies has attracted more than 18 million customers worldwide. Virgin Mobile phones are available at more than 4,000 locations nationally including The Source, Virgin Mobile retail locations and additional retail partners. Virgin Mobile products can also be purchased online or by calling 1-888-999-2321. Get personal with Virgin Mobile Canada on Facebook and Twitter.

About Virgin Unite

Virgin Unite is the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group. We connect people and entrepreneurial ideas to catalyse a better way of doing business for the wellbeing of people and planet. We do this in three ways: Firstly, we shift the conversation through new approaches to leadership and advocacy, such as The Elders, the Carbon War Room, and The B Team. Secondly, we innovate the way we do business across the Virgin Group, helping our companies prioritise people and planet. And finally, we support and grow a new generation of entrepreneurs, both in the UK and abroad.

Virgin Unite's overheads are covered by Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin Group, meaning that 100% of donations received go directly to the frontline where they are needed most. To learn more, join us at www.virginunite.com, follow us @virginunite and like us at facebook/virginunite. 

About Samsung Electronics Canada

Samsung Electronics Canada offers a broad range of award-winning consumer electronics including televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. The Canadian arm, selected as one of Canada's Top 10 Marketers of the Year in 2012 by Marketing Magazine, upholds Samsung's global mission to open new possibilities for people everywhere, providing users premium experiences that are unparalleled due to Samsung's innovative technology and stylish design. As a result, Samsung has become a true leader in the consumer electronics industry both in terms of business leadership and brand strength. In 2012, Samsung was ranked #9 in the Interbrand "100 Best Global Brands" breaking the top ten for the first time, and was named as one of Fast Company's "50 Most Innovative Companies of 2011".

About Samsung Hope for Children

Since our founding in 1969, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has worked with passion and purpose to actively serve as a generous and ethical corporate citizen everywhere we operate. The Samsung Hope for Children program was launched globally to bring attention to the worldwide need for childhood education, health, and environmental sustainability. Samsung Hope for Children was launched in Canada and will continue with more initiatives across all three program pillars. It is one of the ways in which Samsung uses our innovation to create a better world. Follow Samsung Canada @ facebook.com/SamsungCanada or on twitter @SamsungCanada. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com

SOURCE: Virgin Mobile Canada