DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 2006--The Beacon of Hope Outreach Center (BHOC) announced today that Qwest Communications will sponsor their annual Operation Hope "Home for the Holidays" Christmas program benefiting children of deployed military members who will not be home during the upcoming holidays.

Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006, participating Qwest retail locations will be collecting new, unwrapped toys and books for children between the ages of 2-14. The toys and books will then be wrapped and distributed to military children signed up through the Operation Hope program, and to children of the Colorado National Guard during a special holiday dinner and program to be held on Saturday, Dec. 23 in Centennial.

Citizens are encouraged to drop off their donations at any one of the following Qwest retail locations from Nov. 15 - Dec. 17 during regular business hours:

-- 16th Street Mall - Denver

-- Cherry Creek Shopping Center - Denver

-- Cherry Creek North - Denver

-- 18th & California - Denver

-- 29th Street - Boulder

-- Market Place at Centerra - Loveland

"Helping children whose father or mother - and in some cases, both - are serving our country around the world during the holidays is important to us," said Ric Padilla, vice president of Qwest Foundation and Corporate Social Responsibility. "Qwest employees have a long history of helping in the community during the holidays, and we're pleased to be able to offer our support to such a great organization as the Beacon of Hope Outreach Center."

In addition to sponsoring the dinner, Qwest will be making a financial contribution to support the program, along with providing pre-paid calling cards to family members, connecting them with loved ones throughout the U.S. during the holidays. Qwest employees will also be conducting an internal toy and book drive to benefit military children through Operation Hope.

"Qwest is a world-class example of serving the community through volunteerism and involvement from every level," says Leo Pacheco, President of the Beacon of Hope Outreach Center. "We are honored and proud to have such a fine organization partner with us to help support military families in need."

Both organizations are proud members of the America Supports You program through the Department of Defense. For more information on America Supports You, please visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil.

About Beacon of Hope Outreach Center and Operation Hope

The Beacon of Hope Outreach Center (BHOC) is a non-profit organization founded in 1995 with a mission to provide resources and programs to aid individuals, youth, and families in need. BHOC is a proud member of America Supports You, Aurora Chamber of Commerce, USA FreedomCorps, Coordinated Assistance Network, Colorado Nonprofit Association, and United Way's 2-1-1 System, and has been recognized nationally for their outreach efforts. Operation Hope is the military support program arm of the Beacon of Hope Outreach Center, and currently serves over 10,000 members of the American Armed Forces. For more information on BHOC or Operation Hope, please visit www.BHOC.us.

About Qwest

Qwest offers a unique and powerful combination of voice and data solutions for businesses, government agencies and consumers - locally and throughout the country. Customers coast to coast are turning to Qwest's industry-leading national fiber optic network and its Spirit of Service for quality products and superior customer experience. For more information on Qwest, and its various operating subsidiaries, please go to www.quest.com.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

Qwest Communications International

Qwest Communications International

Qwest offers a unique and powerful combination of managed voice and data solutions for businesses, government agencies and consumers - locally and throughout the country. Customers coast to coast are turning to Qwest's industry-leading national fiber optic network and its Spirit of Service for quality products and superior customer experience. Qwest is a participant in Networx, the largest communications services contract in the world, to provide leading-edge voice, data and video services. For more information on Qwest, and its various operating subsidiaries, please go to www.qwest.com. For information about the products and services Qwest is offering in the Networx contract, visit www.gsanetworx.com. The Qwest logo is a registered trademark of Qwest Communications International Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries.

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