Dominos dishes up $10,000 donation to KidsCan

  • Breaking
  • 24/07/2011

By Dan Satherley

Dominos has stepped in to fill a $10,000 hole in the budget of children's charity KidsCan, left after rival pizza outlet Hell reneged on its Telethon pledge.

At the Big Night In telethon in 2009, Hell had agreed to pay the sum to charity KidsCan in exchange for product placement at the event's Viaduct base.

But after reports that not much of the money raised was actually going to needy children, company boss Warren Powell changed his mind, writing in an email to staff: "So how does this work? We gave away pizza by the dozen to these dorks and raised good [sic] knows how much; now am I expected to give them a chq in return for nothing?"

The reports turned out to be false, an audit showing KidsCan had used the almost $2 million in donations it received effectively.

Still Hell refused to pay up, and now Dominos has jumped at the chance to help out, general manager Josh Kilimnik calling it "the right thing to do".

“As a company that does what it can for the New Zealand community it was just something I felt strongly about," says Mr Kilimnik. "I want to see all kids get access to the basics such as food and clothing and KidsCan do a fantastic job in helping to make that happen."

KidsCan says $10,000 will buy meals, shoes, socks, a raincoat and a beanie for 56 children for a year.

“I am blown away," says KidsCan CEO Julie Helson.

“Kidscan provides the basics that New Zealand children living in poverty are missing out on to help ensure they can be more engaged in their education and reach their full potential."

This morning Hell left a message on its Facebook page, saying there was "more to the story than meets the eye".

"Thanks for your support (some of you)," the message stated.

"Given HELL's record at giving to charity and sponsorship, there is more to this story that meets the eye. We'd ask you to reserve judgement until we're able to get the HELL side of the story into the public arena. Fair?"

KidsCan chose not to pursue Hell through the courts, as it would have cost more than the $10,000 they were owed.

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source: newshub archive