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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
Wireless Subscribers Can Help Florida Victims Through "Text 2help™" Program
WASHINGTON, DC – February 5, 2007 – The Wireless Foundation and the American Red Cross today announced that most American wireless subscribers can make a charitable donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and assist relief efforts such as those ongoing in Florida, by utilizing the Text 2HELP™ program established by their partnership. Here's how it works: Subscribers of participating wireless carriers can donate $5 to relief efforts simply by text messaging keyword "GIVE" to "2HELP" (24357). The donations will appear on customers' monthly bills or be debited from prepaid account balances.
"The Florida storms have caused tragic loss of life, serious injuries, and enormous damage, and now Americans wanting to lend a hand to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund can do that through Text 2HELP™," said Steve Largent, President and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association and President of The Wireless Foundation, the charitable organization coordinating Text 2HELP™. "Through a simple text message, Americans can send a donation to the American Red Cross that will be put to good use in providing those in need with invaluable support in their time of crisis."
Wireless carriers participating in Text 2HELP™ are AT&T/Cingular, Alltel, Boost Mobile, Dobson Communications Corporation, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. VeriSign is powering the intelligent messaging infrastructure to enable the short message service.
Text 2HELP™ was initially created to aid Hurricane Katrina relief assistance. The donation program is initiated whenever a natural disaster occurs and an American Red Cross assessment determines its relief effort will require a substantial level of support. Such is the case with the Florida tornado and storms. Text 2HELP™ has been activated and contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund will be accepted through April 2. Money from the fund is used to support American Red Cross relief efforts, which in Florida are headquartered in Daytona. The agency is providing those in need with shelter, food, water, clean up and comfort kits, and medical and mental health services. Estimates put the destruction at between 700 and 1,000 homes, churches, and businesses, with the most significant impact being felt in Lake, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties.
The Wireless Foundation is a non-profit organization that was formed by member companies of CTIA-The Wireless Association™ in 1991. The Foundation oversees a number of programs designed to put
wireless technology to work addressing the challenges of society.
http://www.wirelessfoundation.org
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