O-NET has expanded its customer referral program that would see the community-owned Internet, television and telephone service provider donate money to local community groups.The program was revised in mid-July, said Nathan Kusiek, O-NET's director of accounts.If a community group refers others to the service provider, the group gets $100 from O-NET and the new customer gets a service upgrade for six months.“We're a community-owned project and we want to show that we're giving back to the community and provide some fundraising opportunities for different groups,” he said.“So it's a win, win, win, essentially for all three parties, O-NET included.”The referral program will be in effect until Aug. 31 but Kusiek said it could be extended, depending on customers' response.“If that's the catalyst that gets the whole community saying this is what we want to do, O-NET's prepared to shell out that money,” he said.So far, a few organizations are involved, including St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Olds and the Community Lending Shelf, Kusiek said, adding that he's looking to reach out to every community group in town.Customers who persuade their friends to sign up for O-NET will also get a credit of $100 and the new customer gets a service upgrade for six months.Kusiek said if the person making the referral chooses, O-NET will donate the $100 to any community group, even if it does not participate in the programs.“We're not going to limit this,” he said. “If a community group hasn't actively said, yeah we want to go out and sell O-NET or something, we're not going to deny them getting a donation.”[email protected]
