Qwest Recognized for Its Commitment to Diversity, Volunteerism and Community Investment

January 13, 2007

DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 12, 2007–Qwest Communications was honored today at the 22nd annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Social Responsibility Awards luncheon for the company’s commitment to diversity, volunteerism and community investment. Qwest was joined by five other businesses and individuals who exemplify the values and goals to which Dr. King dedicated his life.

“All Qwest employees are deeply honored to receive such recognition from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Social Responsibility Awards,” said Ric Padilla, Qwest’s vice president for corporate social responsibility. “Dr. King’s goal was to make the world a better place, and Qwest shares that vision through our Foundation giving and employee volunteerism in every community where we live and work.”

At the luncheon, Qwest was recognized for its entire corporate social responsibility practice. In 2005 alone, Qwest and the Qwest Foundation contributed more than $6 million to more than 1,200 nonprofit organizations nationally. From 2003 to the present, the Foundation has awarded nearly 1,000 grants in Colorado, totaling $6.5 million. In addition, last year, Qwest and its retirees volunteered more than one million hours nationally to assist hundreds of local nonprofits throughout Qwest’s 14-state local service region.

One of Qwest’s innovative volunteer programs is its Matching Time program. When an employee volunteers 60 hours or more to a nonprofit, Qwest donates $500 to that organization, or $1,000 if the nonprofit is education-related.

Along with Qwest, other honorees included: Dr. Leonard Baca, Civil Technologies, Colorado Housing & Finance Authority, Alex Cranberg and Margaret RedShirt Tyon. In addition, the first-ever “Trailblazer Award” was presented to Rachel B. Noel.

In 2006, Qwest was honored by the Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Hispanic Magazine for its corporate social responsibility practice and overall commitment to diversity.

About Qwest Foundation

The Qwest Foundation’s core principle is that investing in people and communities provides lasting value for the future. The Qwest Foundation awards grants to community-based programs that generate high-impact and measurable results, focusing on pre-K through grade 12 education.