The National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) estimates that more than $900,000 in cash, equipment and in-kind donations was raised for greater New Orleans as part of CableCares.
More than 60 cable industry companies, organizations and associations contributed resources to CableCares. The program coincided with The Cable Show ’08, held in New Orleans May 18-20.
“CableCares was an extraordinary initiative that brought our industry together to help rebuild New Orleans,” said Barbara York, SVP of industry affairs for the NCTA. “Beyond the significant money that was raised, hundreds of volunteers donated thousands of hours of their time to lend a hand to the city. We’re enormously thankful for the numerous donors and volunteers that so eagerly contributed their time, energy and resources to make a lasting difference for this great city.”
From 2005 through 2006, the Cable Hope Fund – a cable industry non-profit to support victims of natural disasters and the long-term rebuilding of affected communities – had aggregated many cable industry contributions and conveyed an additional $825,000 in cash grants to charitable and philanthropic organizations, and individual victims of the 2005 hurricanes, throughout the Gulf Coast Region.
The Battle of the Bands raised more than $300,000 through sponsorships, donations, ticket and t-shirt sales, and a silent auction. Xpanded Bandwidth, a band from Cox, won, edging out The Paul Allen Band and Charter Communications’ The Frontline, which took second and third place, respectively.
The silent/live auction of rock-n-roll memorabilia raised more than $30,000 during the event.
More than 17,000 books and DVDs, plus an additional $28,825 for classroom sets of books, were donated by companies and individuals for distribution to New Orleans’ schools and libraries – adding an estimated 21,000 books and videos overall to local shelves.
With the help of 400 industry and community volunteers, brand new playgrounds were constructed at the Sarah T. Reed and Fannie C. Williams elementary schools.
More than 200 volunteers helped landscape, beautify and fix the outdoor areas of Sarah T. Reed High School.
Cable service, HD DVRs, broadband learning portals and state-of-the-art TV displays were installed at Banneker Elementary School.
Three tractor-trailer loads of food, school supplies and musical instruments were provided to local schools and families.
More than 150 meals were prepared and served by volunteers at the Ozanam Inn, a local non-profit shelter and kitchen for the homeless.
Computers were placed in nearly every classroom at Laurel Elementary School.
Portions of a new broadband infrastructure were financed for Chalmette High School.
AIDS centers devastated by the hurricanes were restored with the help of volunteers.
Financial grants were provided to schools in the surrounding Bay St. Lewis area.
More than 560 prom dresses and suits were donated to local schools.
Hundreds of personal toiletry items were given to local shelters.
Thousands of dollars worth of athletic equipment was donated to five local schools.
One brand new home, currently under construction by Habitat for Humanity and its volunteers, was funded in the Musicians Village.
And several independent fundraising campaigns, including “Room to Care” and the “Wear It and Everyone Wins” pin-wearing campaigns drove several thousands of dollars in donations.
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