ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. AND DELTA SIGMA THETA
SORORITY, INC. TOGETHER ARE HONOURED WITH
CABLEVISION'S COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
-- Rollin Nathan Community Award Also Presented --

(Hamilton, Bermuda, January 25th 2008) - Two organisations with strong public service outreach goals have been honoured with CableVision's quarterly Community Service Award. The Epsilon Theta Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Bermuda Alumna Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. were honoured last night at a banquet attended by the 2008 award recipients and other special guests.

Several government officials showed their support by attending, including the Hon. Dale Butler, JP, MP, Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation; Michael Scott, JP, MP, Junior Minister of Justice; the Hon. Kim Swan, JP, MP, Leader of the Opposition; and Shadow Minister for Community, Cultural Affairs and Race Relations, Senator Gina Spence-Farmer. The Hon. Paula A. Cox, JP, MP, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance was the guest speaker.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Through numerous programmes, the Bermuda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. focuses on mentoring youngmen to encourage them to strive for educational excellence and to make responsible choices. They do this through a Go to High School, Go to College Program, which includes a Math Attack Program whereby students are asked to solve complex math problems mentally, without a calculator, pen or paper.

“We are very honoured to receive this award and have our efforts recognised,” says Michael Wellman, President, Epsilon Theta Lambda, the Bermuda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. “We aim to make a positive impact and challenge students, many of whom may have learning difficulties or behavioural issues. The Math Attack Programme helps us to make learning cool and fun for the children.”

The fraternity also arranges a competition that leads to $14,000 in scholarship funds through its Alpha Beautillion Program. The fraternity has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2001 through its Alpha Bigs and Children Program and, in cooperation with the Bermuda Youth Library, the volunteers conduct a reading period to encourage reading comprehension and listening skills. Other mentoring activities help educate young men on teen pregnancy and responsible roles in relationships. Recently the fraternity has partnered with the Department of Corrections so that incarcerated young men have a sounding board and are encouraged to make better choices.

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. recently celebrated 102 years of service to the world. The Bermuda chapter, Epsilon Theta Lambda was founded in 1950 and has been dedicated to community service and mentorship since then. The local Chapter was honoured by receiving the Alpha Phi Alpha Outstanding Alumni Chapter of the Year Award in 2008, the first time that this award was given to an international chapter.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
This group of college-educated women have crafted programmes and projects addressing issues specific to Bermuda. Among the groups' many endeavours, they run a Secret Santa Programme, have raised awareness of breast cancer and sickle cell disease and created the Dame Marjorie Bean Award—a scholarship for young women who demonstrate a commitment to both school and community service efforts.

The group aims to make learning fun through an annual initiative called The Children's Reading Festival. This event, developed in 1999, is aimed at improving literacy throughout Bermuda. Local celebrities, politicians and guests read to children throughout the day and encourage them and their parents to foster a love for reading. Free books are distributed at the event. In 2008 alone the sorority gave away just under 4,000 books to about 2,700 children.

Another program, Delta GEMS, which the sorority runs promotes self-development and leadership skills in high-school aged young women. They discuss college preparation, career development, social issues and health and peer-related issues.

Andrea Daniels, Chartering Member of the Bermuda Alumnae Chapter, says: “The overall purpose of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is public service and our members make a lifetime commitment to helping others. It is an honour to receive CableVision's Community Service Award. The acknowledgement is certainly encouraging and while we don't go looking for recognition, it certainly feels good.”

The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has been committed to social welfare since 1913, and its Bermuda Alumna Chapter since its inception in 1989.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Paula A. Cox, JP, MP, congratulates both groups at the banquet. “The Bermuda chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority are truly worthy of recognition and praise for their acts of volunteerism in Bermuda's community. These two groups inspire Bermuda's most precious asset—our youth. In helping young men and women reach academic and personal goals, they support the future of our island. On behalf of the Government of Bermuda, I congratulate and thank them for their leadership and commitment to the community.”

Terry Roberson, general manager of Bermuda CableVision says: “Our two newest award recipients are comprised of inspiring, educated and dedicated men and women who embody the principles of giving back. Through volunteering with their respective Bermuda chapters, they show our youth what can result when their potential is encouraged. They are mentors and role models. Bermuda CableVision is proud to recognise the local chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.”

To help support the work of these organisations, the fraternity and sorority each received a $2,000 donation from Bermuda CableVision.

Rollin Nathan Community Award
At the banquet, Leroy Bean, a minister with Transfiguration Ministries, was recognised with the second Rollin Nathan Community Award for his work with troubled youth. For more than 20 years Mr. Bean has worked with youth, many of whom are caught up in the world of gangs and drugs.

Ten years ago he started a safe house for addicts to help get them back on the right track. His aim is to get troubled youth to understand that despite their problems, they can be a powerful force, especially in telling their stories to their peers and helping to prevent someone from joining a gang or depending on drugs.

Mr Bean explains: “Most of the youths we see in gangs are focused on money and the status it brings. They see selling drugs as a road to easy money. I look at their entrepreneurial abilities and try to channel them in a positive way. There are many success stories, including at least 10 people who have left the underground world and gone to college and started legitimate, productive businesses. It is my heart's desire to get transformed young people to help other young people. By telling their own stories, they can help keep other youth from taking the same troubled path.”

Rollin Nathan, sales manager with Bermuda CableVision, was responsible for the development of the Bermuda CableVision Community Service Award four years ago to honour volunteers in the community. He says: “This additional award recognises people in the community who are changing lives, not necessarily through volunteer work as those individuals are being recognised with the Community Service Award, but through their everyday activities at work. It is a privilege to recognise Leroy Bean and to thank him for all that he has done for Bermuda's youth.”

Mr. Bean says he was surprised and honoured to be selected for this award: “It is an honour and I am humbled to have the work that I do recognised.”

Each January, Bermuda CableVision hosts the banquet, A Salute to Service, to celebrate and recognise past and present Community Service Award recipients. The awards have been presented quarterly since 2004 and were established to recognise individuals and organisations that make a difference in the community through volunteering.

Interviews and Photography Available

Note to Editors:
Community Service Award
A committee reviews all nominations and selects a winner for the quarterly CableVision Community Service Award. The committee is comprised of CableVision employee Rollin Nathan; Bermuda Broadcasting Company personality Everest DaCosta; Da Fontes radio host Shirley Dill; police media manager Dwayne Caines; and community activist Cromwell Shakir. Bermuda CableVision will present its next Community Service Award in April 2009 and invites the public to nominate any individual residing in Bermuda who has shown outstanding community service through participation in a school, church or charity organisation, or through their own determination. Nominations can be sent via e-mail to Rollin Nathan at rnathan@cablevision.bm, or mailed to the attention of Rollin Nathan, Bermuda CableVision, P.O. Box 1642, Hamilton, HM GX. For further information, visit www.cablevision.bm.

Media Contacts:
Elizabeth Tee
Troncossi Public Relations
Telephone: 537-1100
Email: liz@troncossi.bm