WINNIPEG, TORONTO, MONTREAL, CALGARY – As residents of Calgary and other communities in southern Alberta struggle to clean up in the wake of last week’s extreme flooding, several national and regional broadcasters and telecoms have donated resources to help residents and flood response efforts.
MTS Allstream today announced that it will be supporting disaster relief efforts with a $25,000 to the Canadian Red Cross. The national communications provider is also sending one of its Toronto-based employees, Ella West, to help lead the relief effort in the role of director of relief operations for the Red Cross.
Bell and Rogers also each announced donations of $100,000 Friday to the Canadian Red Cross to helped Albertans impacted by the flooding disaster.
On Friday, Shaw Communications opened up its Shaw Go WiFi network to everyone across southern Alberta. Authentication will not be required to connect and the network will be open until further notice. The Shaw Go WiFi network can be accessed by scanning for available WiFi networks on your device and connecting to the “ShawGo” network. Visit www.shaw.ca/internet/wifi/ to find locations where the network is available, or download the Shaw Go WiFi Finder app at www.shaw.ca/internet/wifi/app/.
Rogers and Fido customers can make a $5 donation on their mobile phone to help those in the affected regions by sending a free text message with the word “ABHELP” to 4664. Rogers says 100% of proceeds will go to the Canadian Red Cross.
Bell mobile phone users can also donate $5 to the Red Cross to support Alberta relief efforts by texting “REDCROSS” or “ROUGE” to 30333.
MTS wireless customers in Manitoba can text “REDCROSS” to 30333 and make a $5 donation, or visit the Canadian Red Cross’s Alberta Floods Fund page.
Electronics retailer The Source has also announced it will donate eight full skids of batteries in partnership with Energizer to aid in local relief efforts.
CBC News and City joined forces Saturday evening to broadcast special coverage of the current situation in Alberta with a special program providing viewers with flood information and updates as well as testimonials from residents, as well as key developments on the situation. City in Calgary and Edmonton provided a simulcast of CBC News special production Saturday evening, which followed CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.
Rogers and City also opened up their facilities to CBC Calgary to help the broadcaster provide flood coverage to Albertans.
