AT&T Renews Commitment to Free Phone Cards for Military, Plans to Connect Military Families with More Free Phone Calls in 2007
Donated More Than 60,000 Free Prepaid Phone Cards to Military Families in 2006
San Antonio, Texas, December 27, 2006
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) announced today that in 2007, AT&T plans to distribute thousands more free prepaid phone cards to U.S. military members overseas and to families here at home, as it has done throughout 2006. To date, AT&T has donated more than 60,000 prepaid phone cards this year — valued at nearly half a million dollars — to U.S. military members and families. According to the USO, prepaid phone cards traditionally are one of the most popular items that troops request.
The 2006 activities build on more than $6 million worth of free prepaid calling cards donated to military members in previous years, and this year donations included those made in honor of the Father's Day, July Fourth and the November/December holidays to troops stationed overseas, as well as those to military families, members, and veterans in grass roots events across the country.
AT&T donated cards to troops overseas this holiday season who were in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Spain, South Korea, Japan, Germany and Italy. Domestic donations included free cards for military families engaged in special events and entertainment for troops; handouts at military arrivals and departures through airports and military bases across the U.S.; and donations via public service announcements and other military support programs with TV networks, veteran and military support associations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials, and sports and Hollywood celebrities.
In these donation events, the company has also worked to remind military supporters that the best-valued prepaid phone cards for military members are available through military exchanges or associated nonprofit organizations.
Military supporters may purchase or send phone cards through the "Help Our Troops Call Home" program by calling the Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) at (800) 527-2345) or logging on at www.aafes.org or www.att.com/military. The program is available to the general public and provides access to the only cards designed for use with the private communications network built for AAFES and used in AT&T phone centers in Operation Enduring Freedom regions and other countries. The program also offers ship-to-shore cards provided by the Navy Exchange Command (NEXCOM).
"We know that many military members will be away from their loved ones through the new year, a time typically focused on families celebrating together," said Kevin Leonard, vice president, AT&T National Mass Markets. "At AT&T, we want to help connect these families — and honor the many men and women who sacrifice so much. We're building on more than 85 years of support for U.S. military families, and we're glad to continue that tradition."
As mentioned by Leonard, for more than 85 years, AT&T companies have remained dedicated to supporting active military personnel, their families and veterans through charitable contributions, event and program sponsorships, hiring of military veterans and maintaining policies that support reservists when called to duty. Since 2000, AT&T has donated nearly $6.5 million worth of free prepaid calling cards to military members and more than $2 million to projects supporting them. The company has also built approximately 70 calling centers for military members stationed in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan.
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About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is one of the world's largest telecommunications holding companies and is the largest in the United States. Operating globally under the AT&T brand, AT&T companies are recognized as the leading worldwide providers of IP-based communications services to business and as leading U.S. providers of high speed DSL Internet, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising services. AT&T Inc. holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which is the No. 1 U.S. wireless services provider with 58.7 million wireless customers. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and AT&T products and services is available at http://www.att.com.
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