EarthLink Supports Cerebral Palsy's 58th Annual Telethon

Donates connectivity to enable real-time contributions for nation's longest-running local telethon

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Mar 01, 2012, 09:06 ET

ATLANTA, March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- EarthLink, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELNK), a leading IT services and communications provider,today announced the donation of communications services for Cerebral Palsy Inc.'s 58th annual CP Telethon, broadcast live on WBAY Channel 2 in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Saturday, March 3rd and Sunday, March 4th. EarthLink is donating data and voice services for the telethon site, enabling staff and volunteers to accept donations over internet and phone lines.

"Without this critical and generous contribution by EarthLink, our CP Telethon would be unable to effectively handle real-time donations during the event," remarked Claire Williams, Director of Communications for Cerebral Palsy, Inc. "We've found that our generous community responds when they can directly experience the momentum of the Telethon and know they are helping to provide therapies and treatments to families in their own community."

Cerebral Palsy, Inc., an EarthLink Business® customer since 2008, leverages EarthLink's secure, reliable network to provide a consistent quality of service and the cost-effectiveness required for a non-profit organization.

"We applaud the efforts of Cerebral Palsy, Inc., including all of the truly outstanding services they provide for children and adults in Northeast Wisconsin. They have served these communities for more than 57 years, and we are proud to partner with them to enable the continued success of their annual telethon," said Mae Squier-Dow, EarthLink President of Premier Business Solutions. "We understand the limited resources and exceptional needs of non-profit organizations and EarthLink is pleased to offer additional assistance and connectivity for the CP Telethon. Our partnership with Cerebral Palsy, Inc. is important to us, and we've worked diligently to provide a solution which offers the security and performance they require."

The well-known CP Telethon is the longest-running, local broadcast telethon in the U.S. As Cerebral Palsy's programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors, the ability to take donations securely via its website and via phone is extremely important during the telethon and year-round. The event funds Cerebral Palsy, Inc.'s services to people of all ages, regardless of income, and strives to promote community involvement, inclusion and enhanced quality of life. Their staff works with individuals and families by providing support and professional services to those affected by temporary or permanent physical, sensory, and/or speech needs or conditions. Clients with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, speech and language needs, autism spectrum disorders, sensory integration, arthritis, post-stroke and post-surgical, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, amputees, diabetes, head injury, developmental delays, accident recovery and sports injury, among other conditions, are all helped by the organization.

About EarthLink

EarthLink, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELNK) is a leading IT services, network and communications provider to more than 150,000 businesses and over one million consumers nationwide. EarthLink empowers customers with managed IT services including cloud computing, data centers, virtualization, security, applications and support services, in addition to nationwide data and voice IP services. The company operates an extensive network including 28,000 route fiber miles, 90 metro fiber rings and 4 secure data centers providing ubiquitous IP coverage across more than 90 percent of the country. Founded in 1994, the company's award-winning reputation for both outstanding service and product innovation is supported by an experienced team of professionals focused on best-in-class customer care. For more information, visit EarthLink's website www.earthlink.net.

About Cerebral Palsy Inc.

Cerebral Palsy, Inc. provides services for the people of Northeast Wisconsin to promote community involvement, inclusion, and to enhance the quality of life of persons affected by temporary or permanent physical, sensory, and/or speech needs or conditions. CP served more than 1,200 families in the past year. Services provided include birth to 3 and pediatric therapies, assistive technology, aquatic swim and exercise, adult occupational therapy, inclusive child care, adult day services and outreach services to people of all ages. For more information, visit www.cp-center.org or call 920-337-1122.

About the Annual CP Telethon

In 1954, the first CP Telethon, now the longest running annual local telethon in the United States, was broadcast on live television from Green Bay, WI. In 2012, the tradition will continue with the 58th Annual CP Telethon broadcasting live from the studios of WBAY-TV, in Green Bay. The telecast airs 8 p.m. to midnight central time on Saturday, March 3, and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. central time on Sunday, March 4. National entertainers with local Northeast Wisconsin roots, Dan Riley and David Seering, will co-host the event, and entertainment will be provided by Let Me Be Frank Productions, Jenny Thiel, John Salerno & the CP Telethon Orchestra, WBAY on-air personalities and other surprise local guests.