Text 2HELP Fact Sheet

Summary
The Wireless Foundation, participating wireless carriers, and the American Red Cross have officially partnered to provide Text 2HELP, an initiative which enables wireless customers to text message a monetary donation to the American Red Cross to support its relief efforts in the event of a large-scale disaster. The donation will help provide food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to the victims of the disaster.

The Text 2HELP initiative combines advanced wireless technology with the nation's premier relief organization, to give millions of wireless customers a simple and immediate way of helping others when they need it most.

How it Works
The American Red Cross determines a disaster needs national support and alerts The Wireless Foundation to activate the Text 2HELP fundraising efforts. Customers of participating wireless carriers in all 50 states may then text message "2HELP" (24357) containing the message "GIVE" and the donation will be made available directly to the American Red Cross for disaster relief efforts. Normal text messaging rates apply.

Wireless providers taking part in the initiative will send 100 percent of the pre-determined donation of $5.00 to the American Red Cross. Donations will appear on customers' monthly bills or be debited from prepaid account balances.

Background Details
In response to the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina, the Wireless Foundation and participating wireless carriers partnered with the American Red Cross to create a text messaging service that allowed citizens to financially contribute to the relief efforts by simply text messaging a donation. The initial program lasted from early September 2005-October 2005. Realizing this arrangement could help victims of future natural disasters, CTIA and the American Red Cross established a permanent text messaging response system, entitled "Text 2HELP."  More >

Led by volunteers, the American Red Cross has been serving the American people for 125 years. The humanitarian organization supplies quick relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergency situations. Individual financial donations help the American Red Cross carry out its mission.

As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of more than 180 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people.

For more information vist the Wireless Foundation's site.