Thanks to Mobilecrunch for finding this. You can donate to Red Cross via MMS now...

Wireless Subscribers Can Help California Wildfire Victims Through "Text 2HELPT" Program

Users Can Text Message $5 Charitable Donation to American Red Cross Relief Efforts

The Wireless Foundation and the American Red Cross today announced that most American wireless subscribers can make a charitable donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and assist relief efforts such as those ongoing in southern California, by utilizing the Text 2HELPT program established by their partnership. Here's how it works: Subscribers of participating wireless carriers can donate $5 to relief efforts simply by text messaging keyword "GIVE" to "2HELP" (24357). The donations will appear on customers' monthly bills or be debited from prepaid account balances.

"The wildfires in southern California have caused tragic loss of life, serious injuries, and enormous damage, and now Americans wanting to lend a hand to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund can do that through Text 2HELPT," said Steve Largent, President and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association and President of The Wireless Foundation, the charitable organization coordinating Text 2HELPT. "Through a simple text message, Americans can send a donation to the American Red Cross that will be put to good use in providing those in need with invaluable support during their time of crisis."

Wireless carriers participating in Text 2HELPT include AT&T Mobility, Alltel, Boost Mobile, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and SunCom. VeriSign is powering the intelligent messaging infrastructure to enable the short message service.

Text 2HELPT was initially created to aid Hurricane Katrina relief assistance. The donation program is initiated whenever a natural disaster occurs and an American Red Cross assessment determines its relief effort will require a substantial level of support. Such is the case with the California wildfires. Text 2HELPT has been activated, and contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund will be accepted for the next 60 days. Money from the fund is used to support American Red Cross relief efforts throughout the country, as well as in California. The agency is providing those in need with shelter, food, water, clean up and comfort kits, and medical and mental health services. Estimates put the destruction at more than 420,000 acres burned, more than 1,100 homes destroyed and more than 880,000 people evacuated, with significant impact being felt in Orange County and the communities of Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs, and Fredalba.

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