Bell Aliant and Bell Aliant Pioneer Volunteers donate $51,000 to 40 charities through annual Christmas campaign

ST. JOHN'S, NL, Dec. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - Bell Aliant and Bell Aliant Pioneer volunteers delivered some early holiday cheer today by donating $51,000 to 40 organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador. The donations are part of Bell Aliant's community program, which focuses on mental health initiatives and other grassroots programs across the province.

The Christmas donations are a long-standing tradition for Bell Aliant and the Pioneers. Every 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 of families in the province.

"Today is a day to celebrate the spirit of giving. This event is the culmination of a year`s worth of fundraising efforts by dedicated Bell Aliant employees and Pioneers," said Glen Seymour, Director, Enterprise Marketing at Bell Aliant. "It`s an opportunity for us to spread some joy in the community and give back in ways that have a tangible impact."

As the holidays approach, community groups look forward to the support they receive from Bell Aliant and the Pioneers year after year. "Bell Aliant and the Pioneers annual Christmas contributions make a big difference in peoples' lives," said Eg Walters, General Manager, Community Food Sharing Association. "It's a happy season, but it can cause extra pressure on families who are already stretched thin."

Since 1985, Bell Aliant and the Pioneers have been assisting organizations in the province during the holiday season by contributing cash, volunteer time and donations of Christmas stockings. This year, the Pioneers have collected 180 stockings filled with gifts from Pioneers and employees. These stockings are distributed to families in need across the province by community-based organizations.

Representatives from a number of charities joined Bell Aliant employees, Pioneers and their families at Mount Pearl Square to take part in the distribution of stockings and monetary contributions.

Donations were made to the following programs and organizations:

Community Food Sharing Association
Friends for Life
Better Days
Gander Boys and Girls Club
WestRock Community Centre
Wabana Boys and Girls Club
R.E.A.L. Program

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

Centara Club
Cara House 
Gander Academy School Breakfast Program
Gander & Area Food Bank       
Central Health Foundation 
Gander Military Family Resource Center 

NorthWest Club
Corner Brook Firefighters Toy Drive
Transition House
Xavier House
Salvation Army Kettle Drive

Clarenville Club
Clarenville Food Bank 
Bonavista Food Bank  
Red Cross Philippines Relief Fund 

Tricon Club
The Salvation Army Bay Roberts  
St. Vincent De Paul Society Hr. Grace 
KIXX Country FM. Toy Tree Carbonear 
O'Shaughnessy House Carbonear 

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

Metro Club
Jimmy Pratt Memorial Outreach Centre
Canadian Red Cross
Single Parents Association

Exploits Club
Grand Falls-Windsor, Bishop's Falls Community Food Bank  
Salvation Army
Y2C Youth Centre        
Status of Women 
Local Breakfast program

Fort Pepperell Life Members Club
Emmaus House
Bridges to Hope

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 Pioneer Volunteers focus on education and technology related projects within their communities. The Bell Aliant Pioneers have been working together for 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.

SOURCE: Bell Aliant Inc.

Rebecca Bell
Community Relations Manager

888-377-8222
709-689-8900
[email protected]