05/12/2006 09:00
AAPT and its small to medium enterprise (SME) customers will be helping families and communities living in poverty this Christmas by purchasing gifts from the World Vision Smiles Gift catalogue. For each gift purchased, AAPT will donate the same amount to World Vision, up to the value of $10,000.

AAPT will also be sending its SME customers a pack of World Vision Christmas cards. The cards illustrate the significance of these donations and the difference the gifts make to the lives of those living in third world countries. AAPT encourages its customers to send the World Vision Christmas cards to friends and families this Christmas to raise awareness and support for the World Vision cause.

"Last year, Australians helped 10,925 children become immunised against deadly diseases in Afghanistan, 11,906 lambs were supplied to families in Mongolia and clean drinking water was provided on 177 occasions to communities in Malawi. Over 57,000 life-saving gifts were purchased,” said Tim Costello, Chief Executive, World Vision Australia.

“World Vision would like to thank AAPT for its continued support of World Vision programs. This campaign shows Australian generosity at its best,” he said.

Gregg Roy, General Manager, AAPT Business Solutions said every corporation has a responsibility to give something back to the community at Christmas time. “We saw the World Vision Smiles Gift Catalogue as a very practical way to help those less fortunate than ourselves. The gift options include immunisation packs, school supplies, blankets, and even fish farms.”

Mr Roy added, “In the big retail rush up to December 25, we often take for granted that good health, basic water supplies, a source of food and even warmth and shelter can make the biggest difference to a family in a different part of the world. AAPT is just proud to play a small part in helping others this Christmas,” he said.

AAPT and World Vision have maintained a strong relationship in 2006, with AAPT conducting a number of marketing initiatives this year to support World Vision programmes. This includes a viral email rap ‘MC Squared’ campaign to promote the 40-hour Famine to the youth market, and a fundraising event at the Brisbane Lions Match Day in August, which raised $2,500. In addition, AAPT also helped raise $4,000 from a sample of AAPT Consumer & SE customers who donated their $30 birthday present from AAPT back to World Vision.

To find out more about World Vision’s Smiles Gift catalogue, visit: worldvision.com.au/smiles or call 1300 303 440.