FTC COLLECTS MORE THAN 50 TOYS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON FOR AREA CHILDREN (1.20.10)

January 20, 2010, Kingstree, S.C. – Representatives from Farmers Telephone Cooperative, (FTC) Inc. today announced that the cooperative collected more than 50 toys for the Toys for Tots program throughout the holiday season.

Toys were collected at all of FTC’s locations in conjunction with the free Santa portrait opportunities the Cooperative hosted during December. These donations were forwarded to Toys for Tots and then distributed to less fortunate children in the FTC service area prior to Christmas Day.

In addition, FTC also gave away $3,000 in Visa® gift cards during December in the Cooperative’s inaugural “Holiday Give Back” promotion. In total, FTC gave away 20 $50 gift cards, one $500 gift card and one $1,500 gift card to customers who participated in the promotion. The $1,500 prize winner was Daniel Forke of Dalzell, S.C. and the $500 prize winner was John Bethune of Pinewood, S.C. Customers were able to participate by signing up at any FTC location or online at http://www.ftc-i.net.

“We here at FTC are appreciative for everyone who donated a toy in our efforts to help make the Christmas season a little brighter for area children who are less fortunate,” said Brad Erwin, CEO of FTC. “We hope that customers and residents of the communities that FTC serves had a great holiday season and are glad that we could spread some cheer through our Toys for Tots drive and our inaugural ‘Holiday Give Back’ promotion."

About FTC

Founded in 1952, Farmers Telephone Cooperative, Inc. is a local, multifaceted telecommunications company headquartered in Kingstree, S.C. Serving more than 60,000 customers within a coverage area of 3,000 miles, FTC provides cutting-edge technology to businesses and residents in Williamsburg, Lee, Sumter, Clarendon and Florence counties in South Carolina.

A veteran in the telephone industry, FTC is the second largest telephone cooperative in the United States. FTC has evolved into a state-of-the-art organization offering local, long distance, security systems and monitoring, video, digital wireless and high-speed Internet services. Customers can choose from a wide array of products and services at any of the company’s seven conveniently located full-service business offices.

For additional information about FTC, call 1-888-218-5050 or visit www.ftc-i.net.