SaskTel TelCare cheque presentation on Dec. 19. (alyssarudolph/battlefordsNOW)

By Alyssa Rudolph

TelCare donations

Season of giving: SaskTel supports five local organizations

Dec 22, 2025 | 1:10 PM

SaskTel helped to spread cheer in the Battlefords this holiday season by supporting five local organizations through charitable giving.

Employees with the company have the option to donate money with automatic payroll deductions to a charitable donation called TelCare. For every dollar that an employee donates, SaskTel adds 50 cents to help increase the amount of the donation. In 2024, employees donated $125,900, with SaskTel’s contribution; $188,853 was donated to 47 charities across the province.

A TelCare committee representative said an allocation meeting occurs annually where deserving local charities are chosen.

“It’s all about local employees helping out local charities because there’s always a need for more funding,” said Joshua Weran. “We’re honored that we can provide to the local charities for sure.”

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North Battleford Early Learning Centre (NEBLC) is an organization that offers childcare to toddlers and preschool kids. This year NEBLC received $1,950 from SaskTel’s TelCare donation.

Haley Dubrule, a representative for the organization, said the money will be used to purchase multicultural toys and manipulatives.

“This is very appreciated because toys are expensive, especially the materials that the ministry would like us to get, like cultural stuff. Getting grants puts less pressure on parents to fundraise,” she said.

Joshua Weran presenting a cheque to North Battleford Early Learning Centre. (AlyssaRudolph/battlefordsNOW)

Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre

Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre (BDFRC) helps to provide food to people in need year-round. This Christmas, the center received $2,250 from SaskTel’s TelCare donation.

Executive director of BDFRC, Erin Katerynych said the donated money will go towards the Empty Stocking Fund.

“All the money that we receive at Christmas goes towards our Christmas hampers, which is enough food to feed entire families over the Christmas holidays, school break as well. Plus, we give out toys from zero- to 17-year-old kids,” she said.

Joshua Weran presenting a cheque to Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre. (AlyssaRudolph/battlefordsNOW)

Anchor and Thread Community Services

Anchor and Thread Community Services (ATCS) provides support to victims of interpersonal violence and abuse. This year, the organization received $2,250 from SaskTel’s TelCare donation.

The executive director for ATCS said the organization relies on fundraisers and grants to fund roughly 50 per cent of their operating costs.

“I know it sounds silly to say things like markers and feathers and journals, but those are big ticket items for us,” said Amber Stewart. “To be able to have the supplies that we need to support the people that we serve is really important.”

Joshua Weran presenting a cheque to Anchor and Thread Community Services. (AlyssaRudolph/battlefordsNOW)

Prairie Branches Enterprises

Prairie Branches Enterprises provides support for adults with cognitive and physical disabilities in the communities of Bigger, Unity, Wilkie, and Kerrobert. This year the organization received $2,250 from SaskTel’s TelCare donation.

Colleen Friesen, associate director of human resources, said grants help the organization fund extra costs that are not covered.

“Things like vehicles, so the handy vans, trips and outings, enhancements for the activity centers, different things for let’s say, deck furniture, barbecues. Just the extras that we aren’t funded for necessarily,” she said.

Joshua Weran presenting a cheque to Prairie Branches Enterprises. (AlyssaRudolph/battlefordsNOW)

Kidney Foundation of Canada

The Kidney Foundation of Canada is a charity that helps to eliminate kidney disease by offering patient support and advocacy. Since it is a national charity, the organization received $750 from SaskTel’s TelCare donation, less than the amount awarded to local organizations.

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alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com