More than $53,200 donated to 72 local charities with Bell Aliant and Bell Aliant Pioneer Volunteers annual Christmas campaign

More than $53,200 donated to 72 local charities with Bell Aliant and Bell Aliant Pioneer Volunteers annual Christmas campaign

ST. JOHN'S, NL, Dec. 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Bell Aliant and the Bell Aliant Pioneer Volunteers kicked off the holiday season today by donating more than $53,200 to 72 organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador. The donations are part of Bell Aliant's community program that focuses on mental health initiatives and other grassroots programs across the Province.

Each year, employees and retirees gather with community partners to celebrate the season and provide support for a variety of programs that help make a difference in the lives for many families in our communities.

"The Christmas donation program has been a tradition for 27 years for Bell Aliant employees and our Pioneer volunteers," said Elizabeth Clift, Director, Customer Care, Bell Aliant. "Seeing the impact of the contributions and volunteer hours in the local community really reminds us of the true meaning of the season."

In these challenging economic times, many community groups are grateful for the consistent support they receive from Bell Aliant and the Pioneers. "We are thankful for the contribution that Bell Aliant provides, not only to our association, but to the many programs that are delivered all around our region and can use a helping hand this time of year," said Eg Walters, General Manager, Community Food Sharing Association.

Since 1985, Bell Aliant and the Bell Aliant Pioneers have been assisting organizations in the province carry out their work at Christmas with cash contributions, volunteer efforts and donations of Christmas stockings. This year the Pioneers have collected 223 stockings filled with gifts from Bell Aliant employees. These stockings are distributed by community based organizations to families in need across the Province.

Representatives from a number of charities were on hand to receive their donations and were joined by Bell Aliant employees, retirees and their families.

Donations were made to the following programs and organizations:

Community Food Sharing Association Mary Queen of the World Eric & Mackay Tenant Association REAL Program Corner Brook Food Bank Dorset Collegiate Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Centre

Pioneers Christmas Stocking Program

Copperbelt Club Chapter sponsored Salvation Army Happy Tree Green Bay Food Bank Indian River Academy Breakfast Program Baie Verte Ministerial Association

Centara Council Chapter sponsored Gander Academy Breakfast Program   Cara House Gander and Area Food Bank Gander Military Family Resource Centre

Club sponsored Keep Kiddies Warm Project The Open Door Community Youth Centre Heritage Memorial Park Salvation Army Happy Tree Lakeshore Healing Garden Gander Academy Playground Cara House Scholarship

Metro Club Chapter sponsored Jimmy Pratt Memorial Soup Kitchen Canadian Red Cross

Club sponsored Choices for Youth Rainbow Riders Canadian Red Cross Senior Resources Centre Stella Burry

Tricon Club Chapter sponsored KIXX Country Toy Tree Salvation Army Bay Roberts St. Vincent de Paul- Harbour Grace Tricon Special Olympics

Clarenville Club Chapter sponsored Autism Society Clarenville Food Bank Bonavista Food Bank The Alzheimer's Society ALS Society of NL

Northwest Club Chapter sponsored Corner Brook Firefighters Toy Drive Transition House Xavier House Salvation Army Kettle Drive

Club sponsored Bay of Islands Search and Rescue Western Regional Hospital Foundation Bay of Islands SPCA Salvation Ginger Bread House Forget me not campaign

Exploits Club Chapter sponsored Grand Falls-Windsor, Bishop's Falls Food Bank Salvation Army Youth 2000 Centre Corporation Status of Women Central Sprucewood Academy

Club sponsored Project at South and Central Health Foundation VOCM Happy Tree

Fort Pepperrell Club Chapter sponsored Boys and Girls Club Big Brothers & Sisters Marguerite's Place Sewing Club

Club sponsored The Pottle Centre Canadian Cancer Association (Wig Program) Wreaths Across Canada                                    

Bridges To Hope St. Vincent de Paul (MQW) Chaulker Place Association Gathering Place                                     

Salvation Army Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Froud Ave Association Seniors Resource Centre Home From the Sea Campaign Family in Need

Lake Melville Chapter sponsored Lake Melville Ministerial Association Labrador Friendship Centre Food Bank Kids Eat Smart Libra House

Club sponsored Stella Maris/Good Shepherd Parish

Chapter 105 Ronald McDonald House Candlelighters Association Community Food Sharing Association Brother T.I. Murphy Centre Daffodil House

About Bell Aliant Bell Aliant Inc. (TSX: BA) is one of North America's largest regional communications providers and the first company in Canada to cover an entire city with fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) technology with its FibreOP™ services. Through its operating entities, Bell Aliant serves customers in six Canadian provinces with innovative information, communication and technology services, including voice, data, Internet, video and value-added business solutions. Bell Aliant's employees deliver the highest quality of customer service, choice and convenience.

About the Bell Aliant Pioneer Volunteers The Bell Aliant Pioneer Volunteers is the largest corporate-based volunteer organization in Atlantic Canada. The Pioneers work to move those in need from adversity to achievement. The membership is comprised of close to 9,000 current and former Bell Aliant employees and its predecessor companies. The Bell Aliant Pioneers have been working together for over a hundred years now. The positive impact they have had on the lives of the people they serve is immeasurable.

The work of the Bell Aliant Pioneer Volunteers contributes to Bell Aliant's overall community investment program.

The Bell Aliant Pioneer Volunteers are part of TelecomPioneers, the largest industry-based volunteer organization in the world. The TelecomPioneers boast nearly 620,000 men and women throughout Canada and the United States who work together to make their communities better places in which to live and work.

Rebecca Bell Community Relations Manager 709-689-8900 rebecca.bell@bellaliant.ca

SOURCE: BELL ALIANT INC.

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CO: BELL ALIANT INC. ST: New Brunswick NI: TLS INTERNET SOF INTERNET CHARITY

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