October 24, 2007
Wireless Capabilities Offer Aide to California Wildfire Victims
By Stefania Viscusi, TMCnet Assistant Editor
As wildfires have rapidly swept through Southern California, leaving nearly one million displaced citizens, and with damages reportedly topping 1 Billion USD in San Diego County alone, according to The Associated Press, the responsibility of society as a whole to offer support during this most recent disaster is necessary.
In answer to this need, The Wireless Foundation, a non-profit organization formed by member companies of CTIA ( News - Alert)-The Wireless Association, and which "oversees a number of programs designed to put wireless technology to work addressing the challenges of society," is working together with the American Red Cross to offer wireless subscribers the ability to easily make a charitable donations to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
The partnership between the two organizations has resulted in the 'Text 2HELP' program which allows wireless carriers to donate $5 towards relief efforts by simply texting the keyword "GIVE" to 2HELP.
For wireless subscribers, the offering provides an easy and fast way to help with the most recent disaster.
VeriSign ( News - Alert) is powering the intelligent messaging infrastructure to enable the short message service.
Donations appear on the customer's monthly bill or are debited from their prepaid account balances.
"The wildfires in southern California 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," Steve Largent ( News - Alert), President and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association and President of The Wireless Foundation, the charitable organization coordinating Text 2HELP commented in a statement to the press.
"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 during their time of crisis."
AT&T Mobility, Alltel, Boost Mobile, Dobson Communications Corporation, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon ( News - Alert) Wireless are among the wireless carriers participating in the Text 2HELP program.
(source: http://www.tmcnet.com/comsol/articles/13154-wireless-capabilities-offer-aide-california-wildfire-victims.htm)
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