When Lindsay Mazenc reflects on SaskTel’s partnership with Creative Kids over the years, she describes it as “pretty special.”

This year, SaskTel was once again the matching sponsor of Creative Kids’ Giving Tuesday campaign. By matching donations, it encouraged more people to give kids the gift of creativity and support access to local arts and cultural programs. The campaign surpassed its goal, raising a total of $24,306.

Lindsay, manager of external communications, SaskTel, says, “It’s really special that our partnership with Creative Kids allows kids to do what they love, what fuels them.” With 100% of donations going directly to funding Saskatchewan kids’ access to arts and culture classes, SaskTel’s support makes a tangible impact on the local community.

“The youth are the future of our province. Our relationship with Creative Kids is how we can be part of this work,” Lindsay says. “To support youth in what interests them, and participants that might not otherwise be able to get involved — what an amazing thing, to be able to say that we had a small part in that.”

From the early days, SaskTel has been a fundamental supporter of Creative Kids. Since 2012, the corporation has given the charity an amazing $100,000 in sponsorships through various initiatives. This includes ongoing support through the SaskTel Cares campaign, which aims to “Make Saskatchewan Better.” For Lindsay, Creative Kids’ work is a natural fit for SaskTel Cares, as the funds support those who need them most.

“Creative Kids is hitting every corner of the province,” Lindsay highlights. “This partnership with Creative Kids is allowing us to really be involved in organizations and groups that might not otherwise benefit from SaskTel sponsorship.”

Having once been a young dancer in a rural community, Lindsay knows firsthand the impact that support can have on kids and families.

“Some kids in those small towns might not have a dance club, and they might have to travel to the next small town. But then you add that extra cost of gas and even of time,” Lindsay says. “Some kids just need that little extra support to have the opportunity to do what they want to do.”

Thanks to generous donations from the community, Giving Tuesday kicked off a successful Holiday Campaign for Creative Kids. During the holiday season, Creative Kids raised a grand total of $50,776, which will go directly to funding local kids’ arts and culture classes. SaskTel, as the matching sponsor, was instrumental in helping the campaign gain momentum.

Lindsay shares that she is proud of SaskTel’s longstanding support, which has a lifetime of impact on kids, families, and the community at large.

“We’re proud of partnerships like this — that we can continue to work together,” Lindsay says. “The sponsorship dollars can go so far, and can do something across the province to give opportunities for kids that might not otherwise get them.”