AT&T and the City of Buffalo Launch Text-to-Give Campaign

AT&T Teams Up with the City of Buffalo and Mayor Brown to Launch a Simple Text-to-Give Campaign from Any Wireless Provider to Support Families and Community Members Affected by the Tragedy in Buffalo

Text Buffalo to 20222 to donate $10 from any mobile device, any wireless carrier, anywhere 

AT&T and AT&T Foundation donates $60,000 to various victims’ families and community funds and encourages other corporations and individuals to do the same

To drive additional giving for the Buffalo community and to make it easy to contribute via your wireless bill, AT&T has teamed up with the City of  Buffalo and Mayor Byron Brown  to launch a Text-to-Give campaign to provide financial support to the Buffalo Together Community Response Fund that he helped establish and the Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund to help the community and the families of the victims affected by the recent tragic events in Buffalo. Through an easy direct donation process using your smartphone, you can contribute $10 to the community and the victims’ families, regardless of your wireless provider.  The charge will automatically be added to the donor’s wireless bill.

Text Buffalo to 20222 to make a $10 donation to go to both the Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund and the Buffalo Together Community Response Fund. The 5/14 Survivors Fund has been established by the National Compassion Fund will provide direct financial assistance to the survivors of the deceased and those directly affected by this tragedy. The Buffalo Together Community Response Fund is being coordinated by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and United Way of Buffalo & Erie County and all donations will help address community needs, long-term rebuilding, and systemic issues that have marginalized communities of color in the aftermath of the horrific events of May 14th.

The Text-to-Give program is active for all mobile carriers nationally. Those who would like to donate more than $10 can repeat the process as many times as they wish until they reach the desired amount.  The Buffalo Text to Give campaign provides an easy and quick way for those who want to help the Buffalo community heal, regardless of whether you live local or live elsewhere in the State or nation.  All funds raised via the campaign will be given to both established funds; AT&T will pay for all administrative costs. As noted above, this event has touched all Americans and donations can be made from anywhere.

“Similar to checking out at a retail store and contributing during the transaction, this texting option allows anyone to make one or more $10 donations from their mobile device, regardless of who provides your wireless service,” said Amy Kramer, president of AT&T New York. “We are deeply saddened by this horrific tragedy and our hearts are with the Buffalo Community.  We encourage others locally and across the country to join AT&T in supporting the community and the victims’ families.”

AT&T and the AT&T Foundation are also contributing $50,000 to benefit the Buffalo Together Community Response Fund and the Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund to assist families of the victims and the surrounding community devastated by the mass shooting.  The Company is also establishing a national employee giving program for the victims’ families and will be promoting the Text-to-Give campaign at all A&T stores across Western New York.  AT&T has also provided mobile devices and free wireless service to the Buffalo Police Department to help volunteers gather information from community members regarding the services and support they need.

AT&T is contributing an additional $10,000 to the 100 Club of Buffalo in honor of fallen retired Buffalo Police Department Officer Aaron Salter through support from FirstNet, Built with AT&T– the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated  to America’s first responders and public safety community.  Retired Officer Salter’s bravery and heroism saved many lives that day.

Cricket Wireless, a member of the AT&T corporate family, will be accepting donations of the most needed items on behalf of the Buffalo Community Fridge, including diapers, formula, household paper products, dish soap, detergents, water bottles, and nonperishable food items.  Donations can be dropped off at any of the 20 Cricket Authorized Retail locations in the Buffalo area. Local employees from both AT&T and Cricket have volunteered to help distribute food and water in the community close to where the tragedy occurred.  Both companies have also donated more than five thousand reusable bags to assist the various organizations providing groceries to residents.