Digicel Launches Text Donation For Typhoon

November 12, 2013

Digicel Bermuda today [Nov 12] appealed to its customers to donate in a fundraising effort to assist victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Working in partnership with the Bermuda Red Cross, Digicel has set up two short codes which will allow customers to donate via text message.

Each text to 5151 with the word HELP will donate $5 and each text to 5152 with the word HELP will donate $10. Customers may donate as much as they wish by sending multiple texts. Prepaid customers will see the donation immediately deducted from their balances, while postpaid customers will see the donation as a line item on their next bill.

“In 2010, we saw just how powerful text messages could be as a fundraising tool for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti,” said Digicel Bermuda CEO, Wayne Caines.

“Our customers donated generously via text for Haiti and we are hoping to see the same outpouring of generosity for the millions of people affected in the Philippines. The Digicel way is to help those who are affected and we are dedicated to assisting our Filipino friends and family who were affected by this disaster.”

Digicel will donate $10,000 to assist the relief effort and will encourage its staff to donate in upcoming internal events like denim days and Thanksgiving lunch. The Royal Gazette, DeFontes and the Bermuda Sun will be working Digicel Bermuda as media sponsors, and will be helping to spread the word about how to donate via text message.

“It is critical that we get this message out to as many people as we can as quickly as we can,” continued Mr. Caines. “Every second counts for those people who are depending on international assistance for basic needs like food, clean water and dry shelter.”

Speaking about the Bermuda Red Cross relief efforts, Director, Ann Spencer-Arscott stated, “We are thankful for the support of Digicel and other generous contributors who have come together to assist our efforts in the Philippines.

“The Red Cross is already making headway in affected areas and the funds raised by Digicel and their customers will go a long way in helping those in need.

“Additionally, the Governor of Bermuda has confirmed that money raised by the Bermuda Red Cross will be matched pound for pound by the Disasters Emergency Committee in the UK, increasing the total amount of money raised.”

On behalf of the Association of Filipinos, President Joe Prevendida also thanked Digicel, the Bermuda Red Cross and the people of Bermuda. “

“We were able to raise $10,000 at our fundraiser on Monday and we are so grateful to the Bermudian people for their generosity. People in the Philippines desperately need food and other means of survival. No donation is too small. We are thankful for every penny.”

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Comments (7)

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  1. Spread Love says:

    this is very nice. I hope others follow and knowing the giving nature of Bermudians I am sure they will…

  2. CEBUBOY says:

    Well done Digicel, my family lives in Cebu (Philippines). I my mom is from the Philippines and my dad is Bermudian (i was born in Bermuda). I write with tears streaming down my face. I am so proud to be a Bermudian. Thank-you for helping ! $10k is a lot of money… The text ($5 and $10 campaign) will go a long way… My respect and love for your Company has just sky rocketed….

    I was not a Digicel customer, I can promise you, tomorrow i am switching both my wife and I over to Digicel Bermuda (my daughter’s phone is already a Digicel prepaid :)

  3. Chris Famous says:

    Great use of Social Media.

    God Bless the affected persons.

  4. Micro says:

    $10k in addition to whatever is raised in donations or $10k including the donations?

  5. Well done says:

    @ Mirco… I am sure it is a $10k Donation by Digicel, plus whatever is raised by the text campaign…. Mirco have you donated via text, ? Both my husband and I have.

    Well done Digicel, you are an awesome company !

  6. Always Watching says:

    Seriously, i feel for those people. However, ours are starving,homeless, are kids are going to school with out lunch. Charity begins at home.

  7. Umm.... says:

    Well done, Digicel. I applaud companies for efforts such as this. As someone who has family who is Haitian, I can’t say enough about the effort you did for them. I know personally the things that Mr. Caines did in the aftermath of that catastrophe. Well done again. I’m certain the Filipino community appreciates this. I urge more companies to get on board.