Fido announces Pflag Canada COVID-19 support and donation drive

OTTAWA, ON – April 30, 2020 --
Today, Fido has announced a national initiative in support of Pflag Canada’s LGBTQ2S communities.
COVID-19 has temporarily suspended all in person Pflag peer-to-peer support meetings. This has created a challenge for Pflag members experiencing anxiety or issues dealing with their sexual orientation/gender identity or that of a loved one. Fido’s support includes a donation of tablets, with 6 months of free data plans, to distribute amongst regional chapters throughout Canada. With this offering, monthly meetings can resume through remote meeting setups.
“COVID-19 has brought along many challenges to our already vulnerable LGBTQ2S communities,” says Bev Belanger, President of Pflag Canada. “In offering their assistance during this pandemic, Fido went the extra step by asking us how COVID-19 has impacted our communities. This initiative is an example of what can happen when an organization truly listens to our needs and focuses on supporting those we pridefully service.”
In addition to assisting with remote meeting setups, Fido has created a donation drive open to the public, starting today. Donations, to be matched by Fido up to $150,000 will help support the organization’s continued efforts to support Canadians in the LGBTQ2S community and their loved ones across Canada.
“Physical distancing doesn’t mean that help is out of reach. As a proud ally, Fido is partnering with Pflag Canada to help them provide peer-to-peer virtual support to LGBTQ2S communities. The connections they make are especially important right now,” said Nancy Audette, Vice-President and General Manager, Fido Wireless. “This is one way we can continue our commitment to keeping communities connected to the important services they need, while helping create a more inclusive and more tolerant environment for all of us.”
Donations will help Pflag Canada to further their goal of opening more chapters in underserved communities throughout Canada in 2020 to provide vital support for these areas, as well as servicing current Chapter needs.
For a full list of Pflag Canada cities and meeting information visit: https://pflagcanada.ca/pflag-chapters/Help Us Keep the Lights On! Donate Now.
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Media inquiries / interview requests: omid.razavi@pflagcanada.ca
About Pflag Canada:  Pflag Canada is a national charitable organization, founded by parents who wished to help themselves and their family members understand and accept their LGBTQ2S children. We support these families through today, and give them hope for a better tomorrow. Uniting people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and two-spirited (LGBTQ2S) with families, friends, and allies, Pflag is committed to advancing equality through its mission of support, education, and advocacy.
About Fido
Fido connects Canadians to the things and people they love through its coast-to-coast LTE network that keeps up with them anytime. Known for keeping things simple and affordable, Fido offers plans that come loaded with data and benefits at a great price, including Fido XTRA, 5 Extra Hours of Data at no added cost every month and Data Overage Protection. Check us out at fido.ca, facebook.com/fidomobile, and instagram.com/fidomobile