DISH Network to Aid Disaster Victims
DISH Network has begun efforts to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina by raising money and providing satellite television service to shelters across Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
As of today, DISH Network had set up TV service in nine shelters, including Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, which will receive about 25,000 refugees. DISH Network is in the process of establishing service in dozens of other Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency shelters.
DISH Network has also reinforced its Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi installation crews with a fleet of hundreds of vans and technicians from around the country to support the needs of DISH Network subscribers and retailers during extremely difficult circumstances. And DISH Network has found ways to make local channels available to customers in affected areas so those customers can continue to receive local news and weather reports.
"We're focused on helping ensure that DISH Network customers as well as hurricane refugees get the critical news and information they need during this devastating period," said Michael Neuman, president of EchoStar and DISH Network.
DISH Network employees across the nation have responded to the disaster by helping the Red Cross, donating time to shelters, and raising funds.
EchoStar Communications Corporation, the company that operates the DISH Network satellite TV service, has implemented a fund-raising drive for its 20,000 employees. EchoStar will match all contributions made by its employees, a program that could generate as much as $1 million if every employee donates just $25.
"We hope to raise as much money as possible for people who have been affected by this terrible tragedy. We will match every dollar that is donated by our employees in an effort to help these communities get back on their feet," said Michael Neuman, president of EchoStar.
