CenturyLink Colorado

QWEST AIMS A ’MILE HIGH’ BY BECOMING THE LARGEST CONTRIBUTOR TO METRO DENVER’S UNITED WAY

CenturyLink Foundation and Employees Pledge $1.4 Million to Create Long-Term Solutions in the Community

DENVER, April 9, 2008 – The CenturyLink Foundation and CenturyLink employees have shown their Spirit of Service once again to the metro Denver community by pledging $1.4 million during the 2007 Mile High United Way giving campaign. Qwest’s commitment is the largest gift for the 2007-2008 fundraising campaign. The CenturyLink Foundation’s gift of more than $500,000 will support Mile High United Way’s School Readiness and Youth Success initiatives.

“CenturyLink is committed to investing in education through unique and enriching programs in our community,” said Teresa Taylor, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for CenturyLink. “We are confident in Mile High United Way’s plan to maximize our gift through youth success initiatives. Qwest’s goal -- through our partnerships with community leaders -- is ensuring that all students are equipped with the skills to successfully graduate from high school,” she added.

“Through its generous contributions to United Ways across the country, CenturyLink is an invaluable partner in our movement’s work to create opportunities for a better life for all people,” said Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way of America. “Qwest’s record-breaking gift to Mile High United Way will change the lives of thousands of metro Denver’s children and youth who are at risk of dropping out of high school.”

Mile High United Way’s School Readiness and Youth Success initiatives support a full arc of services for children and youth to ensure that they are successful in school and in life. Mile High United Way’s Five-Year Plan calls for providing 10,000 children with high-quality early care and education programs to ensure that they are ready to succeed when they begin school. The plan also aims to provide mentoring and after-school programs for 78,000 youth to help them overcome obstacles and graduate from high school.

The $1.4 million pledge by CenturyLink, its employees, and the CenturyLink Foundation is an increase of more than 7 percent over last year. Nationally, Qwest’s giving to local United Way organizations increased from $4 million last year to $4.2 million this year.

In addition to its financial gift, CenturyLink employees and retirees volunteered more than 1 million hours of community service in 2007 with a primary focus on pre-K through 12th grade education.