[February 11, 2004] Logitech Supports Freedom Calls Foundation donating Web Cams for Troops February 11, 2004 11:02 AM US Eastern Timezone Logitech Donates Web Cameras and Headsets to The Freedom Calls Foundation: State-of-the-Art Video Technology Will Enable Video Communication Between U.S. Troops in Iraq and Families at Home BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2004--The Freedom Calls Foundation, a non-profit New York-based charitable organization, is pleased to announce a donation by Logitech of hundreds of Web cameras and headsets. The Logitech donation is crucial to The Freedom Calls Foundation Efforts to bring state-of-the-art video communication capability to our troops in Iraq. The Logitech cameras will be used by our troops in Iraq and their families at home. Logitech has provided a variety of webcams and headsets, which will be connected to an integrated network including PCs, satellite communications, and networking gear, allowing troops to video conference and video instant message with their families, friends, sons and daughters in the United States and Europe. "The Logitech donation complements a suite of free services that will be provided to our troops and their families," stated John Harlow, executive director of The Freedom Calls Foundation. "The donation of webcams and headsets will allow The Freedom Calls Foundation to supplement equipment being sent to our troops and also help families and support groups here in the United States." Faced with extended tours of duty, our front line soldiers in Iraq are unable to speak with members of their families for weeks at a time. By using this technology, soldiers and their families will be able to not only talk to each other, but also see and interact with each other, visually. This visual component is extremely beneficial for special occasions like birthdays and holidays - it helps to reduce the stress and anxiety experienced when basic family communication and interaction is disrupted. "The Freedom Calls Foundation is committed to bringing frontline technology to our troops and their families. They deserve it," stated Harlow. The mission of The Freedom Calls Foundation is to deploy state-of-the-art Wi-Fi, VoIP, Video Conferencing and Satcom technology to enable our troops to communicate without charge from their base camps with their families at home by Internet telephone, instant messaging and video conference. Individuals and corporations have made generous contributions to The Freedom Calls Foundation to ease the burden of thousands of our brave soldiers and their families in their effort to protect our country and rebuild Iraq. Corporate donors to date include: Hewlett-Packard, Logitech, Motorola, FedEx, Loral Space Communications, Vonage, Broadband Wireless Exchange, Hostway Corp, SkyFrames, SMI, The Catalyst Group and Business Wire among others. The program started out with a chance email sent to Edward Bukstel, EVP of SkyFrames, Inc. and Co-Founder of The Freedom Calls Foundation. "This entire effort is focused on enhancing the quality of communications between fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. The Logitech donation will allow soldiers to not only call home to wish their kids Happy Birthday, but, enable them to see their kids make a wish, and blow out the candles," stated Bukstel. A portion of the web cameras donated by Logitech will be provided at no charge to Family Readiness Groups, National Guard Facilities, and Army Reserve Centers in the United States. Organizations requiring a web camera to implement video conferencing to communicate with our troops in Iraq should contact [email protected]. About The Freedom Calls Foundation Freedom Calls Foundation is a not for profit entity incorporated in the State of New York and registered with the Charities Bureau of the State of New York Department of Law. Additional information can be viewed at our website, http://www.freedomcalls.org Contacts The Catalyst Group, Clearwater, Fla. Media Contact: Enrique Salinas, 727-796-2555 [email protected] or Freedom Calls Foundation, Brooklyn Heights 718-797-9154 [email protected] http://www.freedomcalls.org [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]