ONE COMPANY ANSWERING CALLS FOR HELP

...and hopes you do, too.

(Long Island, N.Y.) In the wake of the horrific disaster in Japan, NY-based Verizon quickly implemented a mobile giving program to give customers an easy way to contribute to Japan relief efforts, make wireless calls and texts to Japan free, and waived charges for calls to Japan for most residential customers. Personally, I am not a Verizon customer, but I just may be one soon. Here's why: According to a breaking news release, today, the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, announced it will match Verizon employee contributions to the American Red Cross, Save the Children and World Vision for relief efforts, $1-for-$1 up to $1,000 per employee, through the Verizon disaster relief incentive program.

High-tech help

Rose Kirk, president of the Verizon Foundation, said in a prepared statement, "Verizon is committed to using its technology and its financial resources to support those affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Our employees have a long history of mobilizing quickly to assist communities in need, and we are proud to join them in this effort."

FiOS TV customers who are not subscribed to the channel get free access to TV Japan through March 17. The channel location is 1770.

Mobilizing much needed money - fast.

To make donating as quick and as easy as possible, Verizon Wireless customers can make a $10 donation to their choice of ten non-profit organizations responding to the earthquake and subsequent tsunami by simply sending a text message - simply text the specific word to the organization's designated short code. Your contribution may just be a quick text away:

• ADRA Relief: text SUPPORT to 85944
• American Red Cross Relief: text REDCROSS to 90999
• Convoy of Hope: text TSUNAMI or SUNAMI to 50555
• GlobalGiving: text JAPAN to 50555
• International Medical Corps: text MED to 80888
• Mercy Corps: text MERCY to 25383
• Salvation Army: text JAPAN to 80888
• Save the Children Federation, Inc.: text JAPAN or TSUNAMI to 20222
• World Relief Corp. of National Association of Evangelicals: text WAVE to 50555
• World Vision, Inc.: text 4JAPAN or 4TSUNAMI to 20222

Janene Mascarella

March 15, 2011 4:25 PM Eastern

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