Feb 05, 2004
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2004--The Freedom Calls Foundation, a non-profit New York-based charitable organization is pleased to announce the first batch of 1000 PCs, satellite communications, and WiFi equipment has been delivered to our troops in Iraq, thanks to shipping services donated by Federal Express. The PCs will be connected to voice and video networks that will allow troops to video conference and talk with their families, friends, sons and daughters in the United States and Europe.
"All of the equipment arrived on time in Camp Doha, Kuwait. The Army transported the systems via convoy to a forward base near Balad, Iraq," stated John Harlow, executive director of The Freedom Calls Foundation. "We are very appreciative of this generous donation of logistical support by Federal Express."
Faced with extended tours of duty, our front line soldiers in Iraq are not able to speak with members of their families for weeks at a time. The ability to web conference for birthdays and special occasions is virtually non-existent. This breakdown of basic family communication needlessly contributes to the stress and anxiety experienced by our soldiers and their mothers, fathers, wives, husbands and children at home. "The Freedom Calls Foundation is committed to bringing state-of-the-art technology to our troops and their families. They deserve it," stated Harlow.
The mission of the Freedom Calls Foundation is to deploy state of the art Wi-Fi, VoIP, Video Conferencing and Satcom technology to enable our troops to communicate without charge from their base camps with their families at home by internet telephone, instant messaging and video conference. Individuals and corporations have made generous contributions to the Freedom Calls Foundation to ease the burden of thousands of our brave soldiers and their families in their effort to protect our country and rebuild Iraq.
Corporate donors to date include: Hewlett-Packard, Logitech, Motorola, FedEx, Loral Space Communications, Vonage, Broadband Wireless Exchange, Hostway Corp, SkyFrames, SMI, Business Wire and The Catalyst Group among others.
This entire effort started out with a chance email sent to Edward Bukstel, EVP of SkyFrames, Inc. and Co-Founder of The Freedom Calls Foundation. "We need to continue to remind ourselves that our troops are in harms way and keeping connections with family at home is important for the morale and well being of our troops and their families who face burdens at home," stated Bukstel.
About The Freedom Calls Foundation
Freedom Calls Foundation is a not for profit entity incorporated in the State of New York and registered with the Charities Bureau of the State of New York Department of Law. Additional information can be viewed at our website, http://www.freedomcalls.org
Contacts
Freedom Calls Foundation, Brooklyn Heights
John Harlow, 718-797-9154
jharlow@freedomcalls.org
http://www.freedomcalls.org
or
The Catalyst Group
Enrique Salinas, 727-796-2555
e@ideasonfire.com
