LIVERMORE, Calif., Sept. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of
Californians have been impacted by the devastating California fires including some of Comcast's
customers, employees and their families. To aid those
impacted, Comcast has opened its XFINITY WiFi hotspots called
Comcast Cares throughout the affected areas to anyone who
needs them. In addition, hundreds of Comcast employees have
volunteered to help emergency personnel to meet the needs of the
community. One technician (who is also a volunteer firefighter) has
been battling the blaze alongside fire officials for weeks.
Comcast's local offices are collecting clothes, blankets and
toiletries to take to the evacuees as well.
"Northern and Central
California is home to many of our customers and employees.
Comcast is committed to giving those affected by this devastation
the resources needed to access emergency services," said
Hank Fore, Regional Senior Vice
President for Comcast California. "We are happy to give our
employees, our customers and the greater community our support as
well as volunteer efforts to care for those in need."
Connectivity is paramount during a crisis and following its
aftermath. Comcast employees have been monitoring phone and
Internet services to ensure reliability for emergency personnel as
they respond to the devastation. Keeping firefighters connected to
their command centers is a priority as well as offering comfort to
those who were forced to evacuate.
"As many as 1,000 people were displaced and found shelter at the
evacuation center in Calistoga,"
said Alfredo Pedroza, Napa County Supervisor. "Comcast was able to
offer these residents the ability to reconnect with loved ones
through XFINITY's free WiFi service. More importantly, Comcast
employees offered evacuees some normalcy by giving them television
and movies to lift their spirits as residents look to rebuild their
lives."
Comcast is offering Internet, video and phone services for
evacuees at the following Red Cross Evacuation Centers:
- Jenny Lind Veterans Hall (189 Pine Street, Valley Springs)
- Good Samaritan Church (4684 Baldwin, Valley Springs)
- Napa County Fairgrounds (1435 North Oak Street, Calistoga)
- San Andreas Church (261 Treats Avenue, San Andreas)
In addition, Comcast announced it is providing $100,000 in technology and media support to the
American Red Cross. The company will provide $50,000 in cash and $50,000 in-kind support through public service
announcements to assist the American Red Cross in its efforts.
Comcast joins other companies by offering financial
contributions that will aid those affected by the fires in
Lake County, Sonoma County, Amador County, Calaveras County and Fresno County. This donation to the American
Red Cross will help the disaster relief organization continue to
provide shelter, food and comfort as part of a massive relief
effort in California.
"The American Red Cross is grateful for the generous donation of
$50,000 from Comcast. This donation
will enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help
people recover from the California
wildfires. This donation will help provide food, shelter and
emotional support to those affected by the wildfires," said
Lilly Wyatt, Director of Regional
Communications for the American Red Cross. "The air time that
Comcast has donated will help us share the importance of
preparedness for any natural disaster and for everyday life."
How You Can Help
Help people affected by the California Wildfires. Your donations
can be sent to the American Red Cross:
- Call 1-800-Red-Cross, designate donations to "California
Wildfires"
- Text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq:
CMCSA, CMCSK) is a global media and technology company with two
primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable
is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone
providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also
provides these services to businesses. NBCUniversal operates news,
entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo
broadcast networks, television production operations, television
station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts.
Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
About the 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 service, expanding digital literacy, and
building tomorrow's leaders. Since its inception, the Comcast
Foundation has donated more than $163
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.
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SOURCE Comcast