AT&T Joins Forces With Special Olympics to Help Spread Holiday Cheer for Athletes Across the Country
Eligible Online Purchases Made this Holiday Season and Text-to-Donate Campaign to Help Fund Sports Training and Athletic Competitions
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 15 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* announced today that it will continue to support Special Olympics athletes across the country through a cause-marketing campaign that allows customers to make their online purchases count this holiday season by buying select products or services on the AT&T Special Olympics website.
This cause-related marketing campaign is part of a year-long nationwide initiative announced earlier this year that encourages AT&T customers to make their purchase eligible for a donation. For every select product or service – including wireless, high-speed internet, and U-verse® TV – made through www.att.com/specialolympics between now through January 7, 2012, AT&T will make a $60 donation to Special Olympics to help support the organization's mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This is a $20 increase from the amount originally stipulated for the initiative.
"Special Olympics makes a tremendous difference in the lives of thousands of athletes, and this holiday season, we want to bring joy to these individuals and their families to show our respect and admiration," said Jennifer Jones, vice president of Diverse Markets, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "We look forward to continuing to support the organization's mission by developing new technologies and expanding our accessibility solutions to make life easier for individuals with intellectual disabilities."
Special Olympics supporters may also help spread the holiday cheer by purchasing select music ringtone and ringback tones from the "Very Special Christmas" catalog located on the AT&T AppCenter or by texting "SOTONES" to 7299. AT&T will donate $2.59 for every eligible ringtone and ringback purchase. In addition, supporters can also participate in the text-to-donate program by texting the word UNITY to 80888 to make a one-time donation of $5 to Special Olympics. **
The AT&T Special Olympics website serves as a platform to educate consumers about our cause-related marketing initiatives, highlight Special Olympics athletes, and feature unique AT&T products and services and other helpful accessibility resources designed for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Technology can make a positive difference in the lives of people with disabilities. With this in mind, AT&T's Universal Design Principles take into consideration the needs of all customers when designing products or interfacing with consumers through www.att.com, AT&T's more than 2,200 company-owned retail locations in the U.S., or through its specialized call centers for people with disabilities.
- AT&T offers a wide range of wireless tablets which allow consumers to access applications that offer the same features as traditional assistive communication devices at a lower price; including apps that use symbols and pictures to create synthesized speech for those who have difficulty speaking.
- AT&T is the only carrier with an Easy-to-Use line of devices such as the Pantech Breeze III™ and Pantech Ease™ that offer an uncomplicated menu, large buttons and three Quick-Call keys to make it easier for customers to call frequently-dialed numbers.
- Additionally, the AT&T AppCenter offers families a range of useful applications including AT&T FamilyMap, an app designed to locate a family member from a wireless phone or PC.
AT&T is also deeply committed to enriching and strengthening diverse communities and has a long history of supporting Special Olympics efforts, including the Special Olympics Northern California Summer Games and Celebrity Winterfest in previous years. By sharing unique moments with Special Olympics athletes and teams, while at the same time raising funds for the organization, AT&T is able to support athletes, their families and communities.
"Thanks to individuals and to unique corporate programs like this new AT&T initiative, we are able to continue to enrich and advance the lives of our athletes and their communities," said Brady Lum, President and Chief Operating Officer, Special Olympics. "We are proud of this commitment by AT&T to show such valuable support for some of the most inspiring athletes in the world."
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. These unique programs are available to all eligible athletes and financial support comes almost exclusively from individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations. Customers can learn more about the Special Olympics donation program at www.att.com/specialolympics. For more information on Special Olympics, visit www.specialolympics.org
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
Donations made to Special Olympics, Inc., from purchases are based solely on new activations of eligible products or services from April 1, 2011, through February 29, 2012.
** Standard message and data rates apply.
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to more than 3.7 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. Special Olympics now takes place every day, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in places like China and from regions like the Middle East to the community playgrounds and ball fields in every small neighborhood's backyard. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org. Engage with us on: Twitter @specialolympics; fb.com/specialolympics; youtube.com/specialolympicshq, and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.
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SOURCE AT&T Inc.
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