When Tragedy Strikes, CREDO Acts
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Phone Company Helps Customers Connect to Burma and Sichuan China, for Free -- and Urges All Telecoms to Do Same
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – May 13, 2008 – CREDO Long Distance, the phone service that calls for a better world, announced today that in addition to covering the cost of calls to cyclone-tone Burma, calls to earthquake-struck Sichuan province of China would also be free for as long as necessary.
Laura Scher, CEO, gave the following statement:
“As the CEO of a phone company that has given millions of dollars away over the years to international relief, including grants to groups that support Aung San Su Kyi (imprisoned leader of the democratic movement), I feel hopeless at how we can do anything to help. So while our small contribution is not significant, it is nonetheless important for those involved in the tragedies."
Scher added, "As a phone company, we are able to do something: We are making all phone calls to Burma and now to the affected areas of the Sichuan province of China free for as long as is necessary. I encourage all the phone companies to follow suit and to at least make it easier for our members to contact their family members and friends in the affected regions.”
On May 2, Cyclone Nargis tore through Burma, leaving in its wake a death toll rising to a possible 100,000, and one million feared missing, and famine and disease a growing concern, compounded by the military junta’s resistance to outside aid. Then only a week later, natural disaster struck Western China with a massive earthquake that resulted in over 13,000 dead.
Staying in touch is one simple a phone company could help worried loved ones thousands of miles away.
Along with free calls, CREDO, through its parent company Working Assets, has contributed $60 million to social-change organizations working around the world, including Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam America and Mercy Corps.
CREDO members help generate donations to causes they believe in every time they make a call, because CREDO donates 1% of customers charges to the organizations at no extra cost.
About CREDO:
CREDO is the nation’s most progressive phone company that lets its users support their beliefs with their phone. “Credo,” which means belief, is an outward expression of the company’s progressive ideals. And CREDO Mobile offers comparable cellphone service to the major mobile phone companies and more: nationwide, digital coverage, helpful customer service and an extensive selection of phones, accessories and plans. For more information, visit credomobile.com and credolongdistance.com.
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about CREDO Mobile:
CREDO Mobile, brought to you by Working Assets, gives customers more than a phone – it gives them a voice by turning every call into a call for progressive social and political change. CREDO Mobile also offers service comparable to the major cell phone companies, including nationwide digital coverage, friendly customer service, and a choice of phones and plans. And, as part of America’s greenest phone company, CREDO Mobile members raise money for environmental and progressive groups while speaking out on critical environmental issues, such as protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. To learn more, visit www.credomobile.com.
about Working Assets:
Working Assets was founded in 1985 to help make the world a better place. Each time customers use its products (CREDO Mobile, CREDO Long Distance or the Working Assets Credit Card), the company generates donations for causes like peace, human rights and the environment. To date, Working Assets has raised more than $60 million for groups like Project Vote, Organic Farming Research Foundation and the ACLU. The company is also a political force, giving customers the opportunity to speak out on critical issues via its Web site (www.credoaction.com), its monthly phone bill and mobile text activism. Since 1991 Working Assets has generated over 10 million calls and letters to corporate and political decision-makers. To learn more, go to www.workingassets.com.