| [May 18, 2011] |
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Comcast Donates $250,000 to Tornado Relief Efforts
MONTGOMERY, Ala. --(Business Wire)--
During a check presentation to Alabama Governor Robert Bentley today,
Comcast (News - Alert), one of the world's leading media, entertainment and
communications companies, announced a quarter of a million dollars in
contributions to several charities engaged in disaster relief efforts.
The charities include: the Governor's Emergency Relief Fund; the
American Red Cross; and one of its local chapters, the Red Cross of West
Alabama.
Comcast presents Alabama Governor Bentley with a $200,000 check to assist with tornado relief efforts in the state. Pictured, from left to right are: Patricia Collins, Senior Director of Government Affairs - Delta Area; Governor Bentley; John Butts, Technical Operations Supervisor - Tuscaloosa; Homer Butler, Jr., Executive Director - United Way of West Alabama; Douglas Wells, Regional Vice President of Government Affairs - Mid-South Region; Stacy Cole, Director, Government & Community Affairs - Central Division; Michael Wall, Senior Director of State Government Affairs - Central Division.
Specifically, the Comcast Foundation is donating $200,000 to Governor
Bentley's Emergency Relief Fund which will be administered by the
Governor's Office on Faith Based and Community Initiatives with the
United Ways of Alabama serving as the fiscal agent. This Fund acts as a
clearing house for donations designated for those severely impacted by
tornado and storm damage.
Homer Butler, Jr., Executive Director of the United Way of West Alabama,
attended the check presentation and stated, "Comcast and the United Way
of West Alabama have a longstanding relationship. Comcast has been very
supportive of the United Way of West Alabama and its programs. We are
very grateful to Comcast for making such funds available for the
recovery efforts in our area. The tornados caused tremendous devastation
and this gift will be used to help many families. Thank you," remarked
Butler.
"Comcast is a true example of corporate citizenship of the highest
order, an we are humbled by the charitable gift that will help get the
necessary supplies and relief to our fellow citizens so they can recover
and rebuild their lives after the tornado outbreak," said Governor
Bentley. "I appreciate the generosity of Comcast and their commitment to
Alabama families."
Comcast will also make two additional contributions of $25,000 each to
the local Red Cross of West Alabama and to the National Red Cross
Disaster Relief Fund.
Comcast and its local employees have been working around the clock to
restore communication services to affected markets throughout Northern
Alabama and the Southeast resulting in services being restored to the
vast majority of customers. Although system damage continues to be
assessed in the most devastated areas, plans for rebuilding are well
underway. Comcast will be investing millions of dollars for
infrastructure repairs to maintain communication services in those areas
hardest hit by these tragic storms.
"We are committed to be there when our customers and employees are in
need," said Terry Kennedy, Market Vice President for Comcast. "Since day
one, Comcast employees have been working side by side with our fellow
Alabamians in the restoration efforts."
In addition to cash contributions and rebuilding efforts, Comcast has
established two disaster relief communication centers in Tuscaloosa.
These centers enable local residents, whose services were affected by
the storm, access to Comcast High-Speed Internet services and Comcast
Digital Voice, to make local, long distance and some international
calls, all free of charge. These sites are located at the Belk Center,
which is the largest shelter in the city, and the Holy Spirit Catholic
Church which offers Spanish speaking assistance to the Hispanic
community.
"We are strongly committed to the communities we serve in Alabama and
our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by this tragedy,"
said John Barrett, Regional Senior Vice President of Comcast's Mid South
Region. "Our contributions will help those hit the hardest with both
personal needs and also with the restoration efforts taking place across
the state."
About Comcast Foundation
The Comcast Foundation was founded by Comcast Corporation in June 1999
to provide charitable support to qualified non-profit organizations. The
Foundation primarily invests in programs intended to have a positive,
sustainable impact on their communities. The Foundation has three
community investment priorities-promoting community service, expanding
digital literacy, and building tomorrow's leaders. Since its inception,
the Comcast Foundation has donated more than $90 million to
organizations in the communities nationwide that Comcast serves. More
information about the Foundation and its programs is available at www.comcast.com/community.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com)
is one of the world's leading media, entertainment, and communications
companies. Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable
systems through Comcast Cable and in the development, production and
distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global
audiences through NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation's
largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential
and business customers. Comcast is the majority owner and manager of
NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable
networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television
station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture
company and theme parks.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6729408&lang=en

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