Aliant Pioneer Volunteers and the Caisses populaires acadiennes celebrate International Volunteer Day and kick-off French « Je m’aime » books in New Brunswick

Decembrer 6, 2006
Caraquet, NB – The Aliant Pioneer Volunteers, representatives from the Caisses populaires acadiennes, and schoolchildren witnessed a provincial first – the launch of French “Je m’aime” books in New Brunswick.

Over 30 Aliant Pioneer Volunteers distributed “Je m’aime” books to 47 Grade one students attending l’École Marguerite-Bourgeoys in Caraquet, New Brunswick. The organizations also participated in this book presentation to commemorate the United Nation’s International Volunteer Day.

The Caisses populaires acadiennes’ program “Lire, découvrir et grandir” has donated $10,000 dollars to the Aliant Pioneer Volunteers - the largest corporate based volunteer organization in Atlantic Canada. Through this funding, the Aliant Pioneer Volunteers were able to purchase 1,000 “Je m’aime” books for schoolchildren in 18 schools throughout the province. The program’s mission is to increase community awareness on the importance of creating reading habits from a young age, to make books more accessible, to encourage reading and to support local literacy organizations.

“We are pleased to offer these books to schoolchildren in New Brunswick. Children are our province’s best investment, and through programs like “Je m’aime”, we can show them how important reading is, and how important they are,” said Ivan Toner, Aliant’s Chief Information Officer. “Giving schoolchildren a book that has been designed specifically for them can help give them confidence; the type of confidence that will increase their ability to make their lives the best they can be.” Mr. Toner attended the inaugural book presentation to introduce the French books.

“Je m’aime” books are designed to build confidence and nurture children’s love of reading. Each “Je m’aime” book is personalized for an individual child. Each book contains specific references to the child’s name, as well as the names of their friends, teacher, principal, school and community. One of the book’s many encouraging statements says it best. “I like to work with others. I like to feel useful. I like to be nice. I like me!”

“The book’s overall message is one that every parent, school professional and child will appreciate. This initiative goes hand in hand with our organization’s commitment to help children read, discover, and grow,” explained Camille Theriault, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Caisses populaires acadiennes. “Together, with partners like Aliant, we can nurture and protect our province’s most precious resources, our children.”

The Aliant Pioneer Volunteers’ “I Like Me” book has been available in English since 2005. This is the first time the French book is available in Atlantic Canada. Over the next few months, Aliant Pioneer Volunteers will distribute 1,000 French “Je m’aime” books. Since September 2005, over 2,000 English “I Like Me” books were distributed in schools throughout Atlantic Canada.

"These books show children that they can enjoy reading. And by taking the time to visit these schools, we can also teach them a valuable lesson about the importance of volunteering,” said Mr. Toner. “As today is International Volunteer Day throughout the world, our respective organizations and our employees believed this was the ideal time to launch such a valuable literacy initiative. I am proud to be a part of this worthwhile program."

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About the Aliant Pioneer Volunteers:
The Aliant Pioneer Volunteers are the largest corporate based volunteer organization in Atlantic Canada and they can be found working in virtually every community across the region. Membership of almost 8000 volunteers is comprised of current and former Aliant employees and its predecessor companies. The Aliant Pioneer Volunteers' main focus is to support education and technology related projects within their communities. Over the past nine decades, the Aliant Pioneer Volunteers, along with their families, have assisted a wide variety of community service efforts - lending their energetic and innovative volunteer workforce at a moments notice. In the past year alone, the Aliant Pioneer Volunteers raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity and contributed over 100,000 volunteer hours to community efforts in Atlantic Canada. The work of the Aliant Pioneer Volunteers contributes to Aliant's overall community investment in Atlantic Canada. In 2005, Aliant will invest more than $5 Million through corporate donations, in-kind contributions and sponsorships programs. The Aliant Pioneer Volunteers are part of Telecom Pioneers, the largest industry-based volunteer organization in the world, boasting almost 625,000 volunteers in Canada and the United States and contributing more than 18 million volunteer hours annually.

About Bell Aliant:
Bell Aliant (TSX: BA.UN) is one of North America’s largest regional communications providers. 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 in Canada, the US and Ireland. Bell Aliant’s 10,000 employees are committed to deliver the highest quality of customer service, choice and convenience.

About the Mouvement des Caisses populaires acadiennes:
The Mouvement des caisses populaires acadiennes was founded in 1946. It is the largest Acadian financial institution in the Atlantic Provinces. With its 200,000 members and global assets at more than $2.27 billion, this network consists of 33 Caisses and 85 service points in New Brunswick. More than 1,000 employees and 396 elected representatives constitute the strength of the organization. The Fédération des caisses populaires acadiennes is located in Caraquet, New Brunswick. For more information, visit our Web site at www.acadie.com.

For more information, please contact:

Kim Wilson
Communications and Public Affairs, Bell Aliant
1-877-859-5651
kimberly.wilson@aliant.ca

Mario Griffin
Communications and Public Relations Consultant, Mouvement des caisses populaires acadiennes
1-888-249-3222, ext. 4785
mario.griffin@acadie.com