BRINGING HOLIDAY CHEER: BTC recently announced that three charitable organizations - Great Commission Ministries, The Salvation Army and the Nazareth Home - would benefit with $20,000 of donations specifically for food, clothing and shelter-related needs during the holidays. BTC will also give gifts to children at the Ranfurly Home for Children, the Children's Emergency Hostel and the Grand Bahama Children's Home. Pictured left to right: Ruth Strachan, Nazareth Centre Administrator; Delano Knowles, Ranfurly Home Assistant to the Administrator; Geoff Houston, BTC CEO; Minalee Hanchell, Great Commission Ministries Executive Director and Maxine Bethel, inspired and inspiring volunteer.

At a press conference held in the company's board room on JFK Boulevard, executives said three charities devoted to feeding the hungry, clothing the poor and housing the needy would benefit from thousands of dollars in donations for food, clothing, blankets and gifts. And another three children's homes would receive mountains of toys.

"As we look forward to enjoying the holidays with our loved ones, we remember those among us who are less fortunate," said BTC CEO Geoff Houston. "Perhaps they are elderly and alone, or they have fallen on hard times or like many of the children, through no fault of their own, have no home the way we think of a home to go to on Christmas. We at BTC are all about connecting and there is no better time than the holidays to connect with those around us."

BTC said three charities -- Great Commission Ministries, The Salvation Army and the Nazareth Home would benefit with $20,000 of donations specifically for food, clothing and shelter-related needs during the holidays. BTC will also give gifts to children at the Ranfurly Home for Children, the Children's Emergency Hostel and the Grand Bahama Children's Home. Representatives of the organisations were present.

“Once we started to look into what the needs were, we were overwhelmed by how many powerful emotions arose. The Salvation Army alone served provided more than 6,000 meals and food packages last year with what was collected by the Kettle Drive so that gives you an idea of how great the needs are. When needs are great, response must be equally great,” said Houston.

The donations followed BTC's announcement two weeks earlier of donations totaling$206,000 for Junkanoo -- both junior and senior parades in New Providence -- and yesterday, the telecoms leader deepened that with another $20,000 commitment to Junkanoo in Grand Bahama. The company is known for its commitment to community and regularly supports athletic endeavours as well as its annual major blood drive.

About BTC

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is the leading telecoms operator in The Bahamas. We are jointly owned by Cable & Wireless Communications (51%) and the Government of The Bahamas (49%). Cable & Wireless Communications has both management and Board control.

We are the exclusive mobile operator in The Bahamas, as well as a leading provider of fixed-line, broadband services, enterprise and carrier services.

We are a significant investor into the Bahamian community, supporting organisations such as the Bahamas Association of Athletics Associations (BAAA) and organising events such as the annual BTC Blood Drive and BTC Starmaker contest.