Verizon Foundation announces $1 million grant to American Red Cross to assist in Hurricane Florence relief

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – The Verizon Foundation today announced support for communities impacted by Hurricane Florence through a $1 million grant to the American Red Cross to assist in relief efforts. Additionally, between September 12, 2018 and September 28, 2018, the Verizon Foundation will match all U.S.-based Verizon employees donations of $25 or more made via the Verizon Foundation matching gift webpage, up to $1,000 per employee, to the American Red Cross. Donations are tax deductible.

“Verizon stands ready to support first responders, our customers and employees in the path of Hurricane Florence,” said Hans Vestberg, CEO of Verizon. “We will provide free calls, texts and data to those impacted by the storm and will continue to work closely with partners like the American Red Cross to provide resources to help our neighbors and communities recover as quickly as possible.”

“Time and time again, the American Red Cross answers the call to do whatever it takes to provide relief,” said Steve Spinner, Interim Chief Development Officer, American Red Cross. “In hurricanes and other natural disasters, we are there to provide comfort and help lead recovery efforts, and partnerships like the one with the Verizon Foundation make it possible to help a widening circle of people across communities, making a huge difference in peoples’ lives.” 

Verizon Wireless customers can also join the relief and recovery effort by contributing support to help those affected by Hurricane Florence. Verizon Wireless customers can use their mobile phone to make tax deductible donations in increments of $10, up $100 per customer, to the American Red Cross and other charitable organizations, which are responding to the needs of individuals and communities affected by the storm.  Customers can make a $10 donation by simply texting to the organizations' designated short code and keyword: 

• American Red Cross – 90999/Florence
• GlobalGiving – 80100/Florence
• CTA for the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund – 20222/Florence
• United Way Association South Carolina – 501501/Florence
• The Humane Society of the United States – 20222/Love
• Save the Children – 20222/Hurricane (*$25 minimum donation)

Verizon Wireless will waive standard messaging fees for texting the short codes to each charitable organization and 100 percent of each donation will go to the organization.  Verizon Wireless customers who pay monthly bills will see their donations on the next regular monthly bill. For prepaid customers, donations will be taken from customers’ prepaid balances.