News Release
September 28, 2005
Comcast Partners With Denver Public Schools Foundation And American Red Cross Oct. 1 To Beautify Denver Schools And Promote Emergency Preparedness For Annual Community Day Of Service
For the second consecutive year, Comcast is partnering with the Denver Public Schools Foundation and the American Red Cross to beautify grounds at several Denver schools and educate surrounding neighborhoods about the importance of emergency preparedness as part of the fifth annual Comcast Cares Day on Saturday, Oct. 1.
A kick-off event to start the day's activities will be held on the front steps of South High School (1700 E. Louisiana Ave.) from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Steve Burke, COO and president for Comcast Corporation, will make a special appearance in Denver this year to welcome and thank all volunteers for their participation. Joining him will be DPS Superintendent Michael Bennet; Charlie Brown, Denver City Council member; Scott Binder, senior vice president of Comcast, Colorado market; and Christine Benero, president of the American Red Cross.
In total, 2,000 Comcast employees will be volunteering at 15 different community organizations throughout Colorado that day. Of those, 500 will be committed to improving and beautifying five DPS schools including South, North and Thomas Jefferson high schools; Valdez Elementary School; and the building formerly referred to as the Metro Youth Education Center. In addition to the school projects, volunteers will be distributing bilingual door hangers promoting the importance of emergency preparedness throughout surrounding neighborhoods and the Red Cross will be offering free English and Spanish CPR training classes at South, North and Thomas Jefferson high schools.
"Comcast's involvement with Denver Public Schools goes far beyond this year's Comcast Cares Day and we deeply appreciate their ongoing dedication to the district," said Patricia Sterner, Interim CEO for the Denver Public Schools Foundation. "We especially want to thank the many Comcast employees and their family members who participate on Saturday and show their support of our schools and our city."
Comcast Cares Day is one of the largest single-day corporate volunteer efforts in the United States. In 2004, nearly 30,000 Comcast employees and their families participated in the fourth annual Comcast Cares Day, volunteering in 278 projects in their communities throughout the nation. This year 30,000 employee volunteers are expected to work on projects in 32 States and the District of Columbia.
"At Comcast, we have always believed that giving back to the community is important," said Comcast Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brian L. Roberts. "We're extremely proud of our employees who have generously given of their time and talents to impact their neighborhoods on Comcast Cares Day and throughout the year. "We're also excited to have the opportunity to work alongside so many community partners to make a difference."
In addition to the day of service on Oct. 1, Comcast employees volunteer year-round with a variety of projects and organizations through the company's Comcast Cares program.
"Comcast is committed to giving back to the communities we serve, and we're excited to have so many of our employees participating," said Comcast Colorado Senior Vice President, Scott Binder. "Each of the projects will make a lasting impact on the community."
For more information, contact Kirstin Gerety with the DPS Foundation at 720-423-3877 or Comcast representatives Cindy Parsons at 720-490-0262, Tiffany K. Payne at 720-490-0262, or Sean Marchant at 720-490-3757.
ABOUT THE DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
The Denver Public Schools Foundation exists to support the schools and programs of Denver Public Schools. The Foundation actively raises funds in the community to meet the ever-growing and unique educational needs of more than 72,000 students within the district. Funding primarily goes to support quality after school programs that focus on arts, athletics, and extended academics. Such programs lead to improved attitudes towards school, better work habits, increased attendance, and improved grades and test scores. For more information, visit www.dpsfoundation.org.
ABOUT COMCAST CABLE
Headquartered in Philadelphia, Comcast Cable is a division of Comcast Corporation, a developer, manager and operator of broadband cable networks and provider of programming content. With a presence in 22 of the top 25 United States markets, Comcast is one of the leading communications, media and entertainment companies in the world. Providing basic cable, Digital Cable, high-speed Internet and telephone services, Comcast is the company to look to first for the communications products and services that connect people to what's important in their lives. The company's 59,000 employees serve more than 21 million customers. Locally, Comcast serves more than 680,000 customers and employs 3,800 people in Colorado.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
The American Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations. Eighty-one cents of every dollar raised supports services and programs offered by the Red Cross. There are health and safety courses, disaster responses and planning, youth services, transportation for the elderly, and social services including support for the U.S. Armed forces and their families.