BTC and Brickell Team Up For Joaquin Victims

Thu, Oct 8th 2015, 04:50 PM

Category Four Hurricane Joaquin brought major destruction to the South East Islands last weekend. Communication services were affected, as BTC suffered damages in all ten islands. By Sunday, October 4th, BTC Assessment Teams were on the ground, ready to restore the network. Yesteday, BTC announed to continue its disaster recovery efforts to assist residents of the South East Bahamas.

“Each One Reach One” is the slogan for BTC’s text to donate initiative launched Wednesday morning. This initiative allows every single Bahamian with a mobile phone to get involved. By simply texting the word “HELP” to the number 5200, customers can donate $1.00 to this initiative. All proceeds will go directly to the Bahamas Red Cross disaster recovery efforts to provide relief to the South East Bahamas. The text to donate initiative will run for one month and will end on November 7th. BTC has announced that it will be partnering with The Brickell Management Group to double the donations. BTC has confirmed that it will match donations up to 50% and The Brickell Management Group will also match the donations up to 50%, doubling the amount that will be donated by concerned citizens. Customers can text “HELP” to 5200 as many times as they are able to.

BTC CEO, Leon Williams said, “We encourage all Bahamians with a mobile phone to text 5200 to make a contribution to help our brothers and sisters in the south. Every day BTC proves that we are not just a company, rather we are a team of people singularly focused on connecting families and businesses. We remain strengthened by the passion of our people. I have seen singlehandedly, our team members place the greater good of restoring services throughout the country, above their own wellbeing and that of their families. I am humbled by their efforts, there is simply no way to say thank you to them for this.”

BTC’s “Each One Reach One” initiative was birthed by its own employees. Internally BTC staff members sprang into action, organizing a drive for clothing and supplies.  The BTC team has organized three collection points at its Head Office JFK, Poinciana and Perpall Tract Locations. Clothing and goods will be delivered to the Bahamas Red Cross for distribution to the affected islands.

BTC’s iVolunteer Team, will also be initiating two Clean up Campaigns on the devastated islands. The teams are expected to visit Crooked Island, Acklins and San Salvador. The teams are preparing to travel to these islands during October 16th -18th. Additionally, BTC team members will be making donations towards a building fund. BTC will also match the donations that its team members will give.

BTC’s team members in the affected areas are back to work, going beyond the call of duty to restore services. Many team member’s homes have been damaged and in some instances destroyed. BTC’s Vice President for Human Resources, Mrs. Valerie Wallace travelled with the Assessment Team to deliver care packages and to check on the wellbeing of the BTC team members. The HR VP noted, “While team members were not injured, they were in shock and were saddened by the damage in the islands. In many instances they themselves suffered personal losses. Yet, with a renewed vision and unified goal, they are doing all they can to ensure that families are able to connect with loved ones during this tumultuous period.”

Thus far, disaster recovery efforts have been valiant. BTC has already restored services to Exuma and Cat Island. Mobile services in Cockburn Town, San Salvador have been restored. On Monday, October 5th, BTC activated Call Centers in Ragged Island, Clarence Town Long Island and Inagua. Residents in these areas will be able to make phone calls to relatives and friends between 10am -6pm at the BTC offices. Residents in Long Island and Inagua will also be able to send emails and use the internet at the BTC offices.

BTC’s technical teams remain on the ground, aggressively working to restore services to the South East Islands. With no living accommodations on these islands, BTC’s technical teams that came in from New Providence have been residing in the Technical Exchanges.

As there are updates on the disaster recovery efforts, BTC will update the public.

 

 
Each One Reach One: Sebas Bastian, Chairman of Brickell Group; Leon Williams, CEO BTC and Caroline Turnquest of the Red Cross announced their partnership in the Each One Reach One Campaign. They ask customers to text “HELP” to 5200 to donate a dollar to Hurricane Joaquin relief lead by the Red Cross. BTC and Brickell will match donations at 50% each.



BTC CEO Leon Williams and Brickell Management Chairman Sebas Bastian announced yesterday that their organizations will partner to raise funds for hurricane victims.


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