BTC brings hope to less fortunate during holidays

Wed, Dec 14th 2011, 08:26 AM

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), in an act of holiday goodwill, donated a combined total of $25,000 to a number of charities including Great Commission Ministries International, The Salvation Army and the Nazareth Home yesterday.

BTC's CEO Geoff Houston said that each charity has been devoted to feeding the hungry, clothing the poor and housing the needy and would benefit greatly from the donations, which are specifically for food, clothing and shelter-related needs during the holidays.

"As we look forward to enjoying the holidays with our loved ones, we remember those among us who are less fortunate," said Houston during a press conference held at BTC's headquarters on John F. Kennedy Drive.

"As the team put the list together, we sought to support everybody but we had to prioritize and we came up with what we feel are very, very significant causes, which seem to touch everybody.  As a parent we all need to stand back again and think a little bit more about the real message of Christmas."

BTC will also give gifts to children at the Ranfurly Homes for Children, the Children's Emergency Hostel and the Grand Bahama Children's Home, who were also represented yesterday.

He added, "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 hopes it can get more employees to volunteer and get involved in charitable work as the company continues to reach out and touch more people in the community," noted Houston.

Great Commission Ministries International (GCMI) is a global, non-profit organization that has been involved in various programs for persons affected by poverty, crime, drug abuse, and broken relationships since 1987.

Its initiatives include Save the Children, which supports children ages 5 through 19, a feeding center, food bank, and a clothing distribution center which are all designed to assist poor, needy and homeless men and women, according to GCMI Executive Director Minalee Hanshell.

"This could not have come at a better time and we are very grateful, and when you give this to our feeding programs [know that] we serve at our feeding center over 5,000 meals monthly, she said.

"We also distribute over 1,000 food packages monthly, and in regards to the feeding of persons we also deliver to the shut-ins.  Additionally we have a substance abuse program, so again we say thank you and God."

The donations yesterday followed BTC's announcement two weeks earlier of donations totaling $206,000 for Junkanoo, both the junior and senior parades in New Providence.

The telecoms company made another $20,000 commitment to Junkanoo in Grand Bahama on Monday, and according to its CEO the company is committed to supporting organizations such as the Bahamas Association of Athletics Associations (BAAA) and organizing events including the annual BTC Starmaker contest and the BTC Blood Drive.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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