Sprint Donates $100K to Red Cross In Support Of Joplin Tornado Relief Efforts

In support of the American Red Cross’ disaster-relief efforts for this week’s devastating tornado in Joplin, Mo., Sprint (News - Alert) Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sprint, reportedly made a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross.

In addition, Sprint employees and retirees and members of the Sprint board of directors are also extending their individual support by making contributions to match the American Red Cross donations.

With an aim to encourage its customers to donate, Sprint is waiving standard text-messaging fees for mobile donations to the American Red Cross until June 30, 2011. The Sprint Wireless customers are encouraged to text “REDCROSS” to “90999” to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

In a press release, Sprint said that Sprint disaster recovery technicians and engineers from emergency response teams are present in the tornado affected sites in Joplin to service the impacted local cell sites with portable generators and Cell Sites on Wheels (COWs). In addition of providing additional network coverage, the services will also help the residents stay prepared for additional storms that are predicted to hit Joplin latter.

“Our thoughts are with our neighbors in Joplin. With our headquarters in the Kansas City area, many Sprint employees have friends and family members in Joplin. We know that this is a strong community that is already pulling together in the wake of this tragedy, and we hope that our support will help our partners at the American Red Cross continue to provide aid to those who need it,” Sprint’s senior vice president of Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility, Bill White, noted in a statement.

Last week, Sprint announced that it will award four grants to Dallas/Fort Worth-area non-profit organizations this year through the Sprint Foundation, as part of the Sprint Community Champions Program and the Sprint Local Giving Program. The grant totals a whopping $57,500. This is the third year Sprint has offered these programs to Dallas/Fort Worth non-profits.