Text 2HELP Frequently Asked Questions 1.) What is the Text 2HELP Initiative? 2.) How can wireless customers participate? 3.) Why was the Text 2HELP initiative created? 4.) What is the history of the Text 2HELP program? 5.) How does the Text 2HELP program work? 6.) Is the initiative available in all 50 states? 7.) How will Text 2HELP affect my wireless bill? 8.) Can I send more than one text message donation? 9.) How do I know if my carrier offers Text 2HELP services? 10.) Am I required to participate in the initiative? 11.) How do I stop a donation I already started? 12.) How do I get help with a donation? 13.) Will my carrier charge me for participating in the Text 2HELP program? 14.) Do you share information such as mobile number with any other organizations? 15.) Will I get unrelated, unwanted text messages as a result of making a donation through Text 2HELP? 16.) How do I use the Text Message feature on my cell phone to make a Text 2HELP donation? 17.) What else can I do to help? What is the Text 2HELP Initiative? The national Text 2Help Initiative is a voluntary, cooperative partnership between The Wireless Foundation and the American Red Cross that allows customers of participating wireless carriers to send a text message to the American Red Cross and make a donation for relief efforts during a major natural disaster. You can change a life, starting with your own, by texting to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. This Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to the victims of disasters. The service powering this text messaging capability is donated and run by VeriSign. Back to top How can wireless customers participate? More than 90% of wireless customers are served by participating wireless service providers, so it's highly likely that you can use the Text 2HELP program to donate to the American Red Cross. Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless are among the wireless carriers supporting the Text 2HELP campaign. Once the Red Cross has determined a major national disaster, customers with a wireless device capable of sending text messages may send one to "2HELP" (24357) containing the message "GIVE," and their $5.00 donation will be directed to disaster relief efforts. Text 2HELP is a convenient way for subscribers to contribute by directly including the donation on customers' monthly wireless bills, or by debiting the amount from prepaid account balances. Back to top Why was the Text 2HELP initiative created? Hurricane Katrina proved that a major disaster affects the entire nation, not just a state or region. Quickly providing necessary resources to assist with relief efforts is vital. Understanding that Americans are eager to do their part to help, The Wireless Foundation, participating wireless service providers, and the American Red Cross have created an easy and efficient way for their subscribers to lend their support. Through the combination of wireless technology and the effectiveness of the American Red Cross, consumers have the opportunity to help victims and their families when they need it most. Back to top What is the history of the Text 2HELP program? In response to the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina, The Wireless Foundation and participating wireless carriers partnered with the American Red Cross to create a text messaging service- donated by m-Qube, now part of VeriSign- that allowed citizens to financially contribute to the relief efforts by simply text messaging a donation. The initial program lasted approximately two months, from early September 2005-October 2005. Realizing this arrangement could help victims of future natural disasters, The Wireless Foundation and the American Red Cross established a permanent text messaging response system, entitled "Text 2HELP." Led by volunteers, the American Red Cross has been serving the American people for 125 years. The humanitarian organization supplies quick relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergency situations. Individual financial donations help the American Red Cross carry out its mission. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of more than 180 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people. Back to top How does the Text 2HELP program work? Text 2HELP is a collaborative initiative between The Wireless Foundation, the American Red Cross, participating wireless carriers and their subscribers, and VeriSign. When the American Red Cross activates Text 2HELP after a major disaster, wireless subscribers whose carrier supports the program may send the word "GIVE" or "HELP" (uppercase or lowercase) to the shortcode "2HELP" or 24357. The wireless subscriber then receives a confirmation message, asking to confirm the $5 donation. If the subscriber replies “Y” or “YES” via text message to confirm, the service responds with a “thank you” message, and a five dollar charge is added to the subscriber’s bill. The subscriber may reply “STOP,” “NO” or “N” via text message to the confirmation if they choose to cancel the transaction and not make a donation. A text message is then sent to the subscriber confirming either their donation or cancellation. In cases where a subscriber of a carrier not participating in Text 2HELP sends the text message “GIVE” or “HELP,” an error message will be sent back to the sending subscriber’s wireless device, in some cases providing instructions for how to donate via other means. Back to top Is the initiative available in all 50 states? Yes. How will Text 2HELP affect my wireless bill? Once a wireless subscriber text messages the word "GIVE" to "2HELP" (24357), the wireless carrier will be notified. A pre-determined donation amount of $5.00 will be added to the customer's wireless bill, or debited from prepaid account balances. Standard text messaging rates apply. Back to top Can I send more than one text message donation? Yes. Wireless customers can send up to five $5 text message donations for a total of $25 to the American Red Cross's relief efforts. Each donation will appear as a line item on their wireless bills. Back to top How do I know if my carrier offers Text 2HELP services? Since more than 90% of all wireless customers are able to donate using the Text 2HELP program, the easiest thing to do is to text GIVE to 2HELP (23457). If your current service provider does not offer the Text 2HELP program, you will receive an error message on your wireless device. You can find the list of participating wireless carriers here or you can check your wireless carrier's website to determine if your carrier is participating. Back to top Am I required to participate in the initiative? No. The Text 2HELP initiative is absolutely optional. The initiative is only active when the American Red Cross has determined a disaster needs national attention. At that time, wireless subscribers of participating service providers can choose to donate by text messaging the appropriate message, but it's entirely voluntary. Back to top How do I stop a donation I already started? Send the word NO in reply to the confirmation message you receive after donating or send STOP to shortcode 24357. Back to top How do I get help with a donation? Send the word HELP to shortcode 24357. Back to top Will my carrier charge me for participating in the Text 2HELP program? Yes and No. Yes, your carrier will charge you its normal text messaging rate for each "2HELP" message sent. No, the wireless carrier does not charge an administrative fee for collecting your donation and transferring it to the American Red Cross. One hundred percent of your donation will go to relief efforts. Back to top Do you share information such as mobile number with any other organizations? No. The Wireless Foundation will not share your information with any other organization except as required to deliver the Text 2HELP services, and we will not provide your information to any third-party marketing organizations. To review The Wireless Foundation privacy policy visit: http://www.wirelessfoundation.com/about/privacy.cfm. Back to top Will I get unrelated, unwanted text messages as a result of making a donation through Text 2HELP? No. The only text messages you will ever receive from the Text 2HELP Initiative are as follows: 1. You will receive a message asking you to confirm that you approve the $5.00 donation. 2. You will receive a second message confirming that the donation has been made. Back to top How do I use the Text Message feature on my cell phone to make a Text 2HELP donation? All phones are different, but these general instructions should help. 1. Select Menu. 2. Select Messages. 3. Select New Text Message. 4. Select Address and enter code 24357 (2HELP), press OK/ENTER. 5. Select Message and enter code word GIVE using your keypad, press OK/ENTER. 6. When finished select OK or SEND to send message. 7. Within a few minutes, a reply message will come back to your phone asking you to confirm the transaction. 8. Enter "Y" or "YES" to confirm the transaction or "N' or "NO" to cancel the transaction, press OK/ENTER. Back to top What else can I do to help? There are a wide variety of opportunities to support the American Red Cross. People who wish to volunteer should contact their local American Red Cross chapter because the vast majority of volunteer opportunities are typically found within an individual's local community. Back to top You can help people affected by disasters, like floods and wildfires, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. You may also call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or mail your donation, to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.