61 local charities benefit from Bell Aliant and the Bell Aliant Pioneer Volunteers during their annual Christmas Celebrations

ST. JOHN'S, Dec. 23 2010 -- Bell Aliant and the Bell Aliant Pioneer Volunteers donated over $71,000 to support 61 charities throughout Newfoundland & Labrador.

During the annual Christmas celebrations at Bell Aliant, employees and retirees gathered with several community groups for some Christmas cheer. During the festivities donations were presented to several local charities.

"The spirit of giving is very important to our employees and retirees, especially during this time of year." said Geoff Davis, regional sales vice president, Newfoundland & Labrador, "They give generously of their time and talent to many community programs throughout the year and during the holiday season.

"Year after year, we can count on Bell Aliant and the Bell Aliant Pioneers for their generosity and commitment to our community as a whole," says Eg Walters, general manager, Community Food Sharing Association. "Their support at this time of year will make a tremendous difference to many families during this holiday season and for that we are grateful."

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 work and donations of Christmas stockings. This year the Pioneers have collected over 465 stockings filled with gifts by Bell Aliant employees. These stockings have been distributed to families in need by community based organizations across the Province.

    Donations were made to the following programs and organizations:

    Christmas Stocking Program                    $20,100
    Canadian Red Cross - Respect ED               $15,000
    REAL Program                                  $ 5,000
    Easter Seals - Kids Quest                     $ 5,000
    Candlelighters Association                    $ 2,000
    Community Food Sharing Association            $ 4,000

    Chapter 105 Newfoundland and Labrador Bell Aliant Pioneers
    ----------------------------------------------------------
    Candlelighters Association                    $ 2,000
    Community Food Sharing Association            $ 4,000
    Kids Eat Smart                                $ 1,000
    Brother T. I. Murphy Center                   $ 1,000
    Northern Peninsula Ministerial Association    $   500
    Big Brothers/Big Sisters                      $ 1,500

    Clarenville Club
    ----------------
    Clarenville Food Bank                         $   200
    Bonavista Food Bank                           $   200
    ALS Society                                   $   200
    Autism Society                                $   200
    Alzheimer's Society                           $   200
    Salvation Army Christmas Stocking Project     $   600

    Tricon Club
    -----------
    KIXX Country Happy Tree                       $   500
    Salvation Army Bay Roberts                    $   250
    St. Vincent de Paul                           $   250
    Victoria Food Bank                            $   250

    Exploits Club
    -------------
    Central NL Health Center                      $   250
    Grand-Falls Windsor Food Bank                 $   250
    Corduroy Brook Association                    $   250
    Salvation Army Windsor - Exploits Club        $   250
    Youth 2000 Center                             $   200
    Dresses for Haiti                             $   100

    Copperbelt Club
    ---------------
    Salvation Army Happy Tree                     $   250
    Green Bay Food Bank                           $   250
    Indian River Academy Breakfast Program        $   250
    Baie Verte Ministerial Association            $   250
    Children's Wish Wishmaker Walk                $    50
    Baie Verte Health Care                        $   100
    Salvation Army Happy Tree                     $   250

    Avalon Club
    -----------
    Community Food Sharing Association            $   500
    Jimmy Pratt Memorial Soup Kitchen             $   500

    Northwest Club
    --------------
    Corner Brook Firefighters Toy Drive           $   300
    Transition House                              $   200
    Xavier House                                  $   300
    Pasadena Ministerial Association              $   200
    Salvation Army Kettle Drive                   $   100
    Breakfast Program                             $   300
    Deer Lake Foodbank                            $   200

    Centara Club
    ------------
    Cara House                                    $   200
    Gander Academy Breakfast Program              $   200
    Gander Food Bank                              $   200
    Military Family Resource Centre               $   200
    Central Northeast Health Foundation           $   200

    Fort Pepperrell Club
    --------------------
    Big Brothers & Sisters                        $   300
    Boys and Girls Club                           $   300
    Choices for Youth                             $   400
    Daybreak                                      $   500
    Pottle Center                                 $   500

    Lake Melville Club
    ------------------
    Lake Melville Food Bank                       $   250
    Labrador Friendship Center Food Bank          $   250

    Marystown Club (former)
    -----------------------
    Family Aid Committee - Marystown              $   300
    Family Aid Committee - Burin                  $   300
    Grand for LINE Association                    $   300
    Burin Peninsula Ministerial -
     Southern Division                            $   300
    Ronald McDonald House NL                      $   365

About Bell Aliant

Bell Aliant (TSX: BA.UN) 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(TM) services. Through its operating entities it serves customers in six Canadian provinces with innovative information, communication and technology services including voice, data, Internet, video and value-added business solutions. Through its xwave offices, Bell Aliant also provides IT professional services and advanced technology 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 who work to move those in need from adversity to achievement. The close to 9,000 members is comprised of 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.

We've been working together for close to a hundred years now, and the positive impact we've had on the lives of the people we serve is immeasurable.

In 2010 alone the Bell Aliant Pioneers donated over $200,000 and made a difference by giving close to 160,000 volunteer hours to a number of community projects.

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.

For further information: Rebecca Bell, Community Relations Manager, 709-689-8900, rebecca.bell@bellaliant.ca


SOURCE Bell Aliant