Verizon Communications : Provides $1 Million to Red Cross and Florida Relief Fund for Hurricane Michael Relief

Media assets highlighting our Michael response and recovery efforts are available here.

Bay County, FLA - Verizon's wireless operations leader Tami Erwin, visiting the Bay County, Florida, Emergency Operations Center, today announced contributions totaling $1 million to organizations assisting in the wake of Hurricane Michael. Meeting with state and local emergency management officials to discuss the company's round-the-clock efforts to restore its service, Erwin said Verizon will donate a total of $500,000 to the American Red Cross to support recovery efforts, adding $250,000 to its original pledge to support areas hardest hit by the hurricane. In addition, Erwin said Verizon is contributing $500,000 to the Florida Disaster Relief Fund, which is the State of Florida's official private fund established to assist Florida's communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster.

'First and foremost, we won't rest until our network is back to 100 percent,' said Erwin. 'But at a time when so many are hurting, the men and women of Verizon stand with Panhandle residents and visitors in undertaking the difficult road to rebuilding.'

Erwin added that Verizon is working closely with community officials to identify additional ways to support rebuilding efforts on a local level. 'Residents who live in the impacted areas, including our customers and employees, are facing the formidable task of starting anew - rebuilding their neighborhoods, schools, hospitals and parks. We want to be part of this effort. We're in this for the long-term.'

Three Month Free Offer

In addition to the donations, Verizon is also expanding its offer of three months of free monthly access to its customers in nine counties that were most heavily impacted by Hurricane Michael. In addition to Bay and Gulf counties, every Verizon customer in Calhoun, Franklin, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Wakulla, and Washington counties will be automatically credited for three months of monthly access charges for each line. This free service is for consumer, business accounts and public safety organizations.

Learn more about the extension of Verizon's free calls, texts and data offer through 10/31.