In its second direct bank transfer in seven days, Verizon Wireless
today transmitted $4.84 million to the American Red Cross relief
effort for Haiti, representing additional pledges made by 762,284
Verizon Wireless customers with pledges totaling $7.82 million to the
Red Cross from the beginning of the humanitarian relief effort through
11:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Verizon Wireless made an
initial $2.98 million advance to the Red Cross on Friday, Jan. 15.
Today’s $4.84 million represents 100 percent of the donations made by
Verizon Wireless customers from 1:55 p.m. EST on Friday, Jan. 15
through 11:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 20.
As the outpouring of support continues from wireless users texting
“HAITI” to 90999, the company said it was advancing these funds
pledged by Verizon Wireless customers to the Red Cross, outside of
normal operation procedures. The company noted that the White House
website (www.whitehouse.gov) endorsed the State Department’s specific
request on Jan. 12 that Americans donate to the Haiti relief effort by
texting $10 pledges to the Red Cross: “For those interested in helping
immediately, simply text ‘HAITI’ to ‘90999’ and a donation of $10 will
be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts,
charged to your cell phone bill.”
Jeffrey Towers, American Red Cross chief development officer, said,
“Raising this amount of money $10 at a time is a true testament to the
American spirit. The success of the mobile campaign shows the
powerful impact and opportunity this channel can have on fundraising.
The needs in Haiti are tremendous and we want to thank the people who
continue to donate and help the American Red Cross meet that need.”
Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless president and chief executive officer,
said, “At a time when every hour counts, companies like Verizon
Wireless need to examine what we can do to help our neighbors in need.
In this instance, we put aside our normal practices in order to
expedite assistance to the American Red Cross because of its
opportunity to make an immediate difference in the lives of thousands
of Haitian people.”
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest
wireless voice and 3G data network, serving 89 million customers.
Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees
nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon
Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NASDAQ and LSE: VOD). For
more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and
request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of
Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia
Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.