BTC today announced extensive relief efforts towards rebuilding The Bahamas following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irene. The Company has pledged $250,000 to support the relief and restoration efforts and up to $1.9 million in free mobile and landline credit targeted mainly at customers in the hardest hit islands of Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island & Long Cay, Long Island, Cat Island, Eleuthera and Abaco.
According to Geoff Houston, CEO of BTC, “Customers on these hardest hit islands will be able to call anywhere in The Bahamas free of long distance charge from their landline phones between September 1st and September 15th. For Pre-paid cellular customers, there will be a $30 cell phone credit and for Post-paid customers on these islands, 100 free minutes added to their packages from September 1st through September 8th, as well as a 25 percent discount on their post-paid package for the month of September.”
Recognizing the needs of the wider community, BTC has also provided 100 minutes for all post-paid customers across The Bahamas through September 8th and a $5 credit for all pre-paid cell customers nationwide.
Speaking about the contribution of $250,000 for rebuilding efforts, Houston explained, “BTC understands the urgent need to get help to the Family Islands that have been hardest hit. These funds will go towards bringing aid and supplies to Bahamians in these islands whose lives have been so terribly disrupted. We will do all within our power to get help to them quickly.”
In addition to the $250,000 cash contribution, BTC will be setting up a “Text to Donate” campaign which will allow persons to “text in” a donation for as little as a dollar.
In a message to BTC employees, Chairman David Shaw, who is also CEO of CWC’s regional business LIME, thanked employees for their efforts. He said “The Bahamas will recover and rebuild from this. But it will take time. While we work hard to take care of our customers, please continue to take care of each other. For persons who are without a home or without access to water or other basic amenities, your help can make a real difference. So thank you for all that you have been doing to help those around you, and please keep at it. BTC has to be here for Bahamians”.
Diane Phillips & Associates
