Los Angeles, CA ? September 6, 2005 ? Scores of long distance and cell phone users in the Gulf Coast have been met with busy signals and dead air when trying to make calls as Hurricane Katrina knocked out power and telecommunications lines along the coast. The worst storm in recent US history has disrupted various telecommunication services in Western Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
In response, Total Call International has been contacting its long distance subscribers in the affected areas to express its sympathies and offer solutions for those experiencing interrupted service. Direct-Dial long distance customers are being offered the option of using Total Call International's Dial-Around long distance service while repairs are being made. Total Call International will also be giving 20 minutes of free domestic calls to and from its subscribers in the hardest-hit areas in Mississippi and Louisiana.
?We want to express our deepest sympathy to everyone affected by this tragedy,? said Mark Leafstedt, CEO of Total Call International. ?We recognize the importance of staying in touch with loved ones, especially in unfortunate events like this, and we are committed to providing reliable services now more than ever.?
Total Call International's prepaid division, in conjunction with Dong Nam A Telecommunications, will make further contributions to the relief effort. Total Call International will be donating prepaid calling cards to the Vietnamese community in Houston, Texas. The cards will be distributed through Saigon Radio, who is organizing efforts to aid victims coming to Houston from Louisiana and Mississippi. Additional prepaid cards will be distributed through Nguoi Viet Daily News and Bishop Dominic Luong, who is head of the rescue efforts for victims in the Vietnamese community for the Diocese of Orange in Orange County, California. Bishop Luong was himself a priest in New Orleans, spending almost 30 years building the Vietnamese Catholic community there.
?We are incredibly grateful for the efforts of Bishop Luong, the benefactors, as well as the volunteers,? added Nam Loc Nguyen, Director of Dong Nam A. ?We?re confident that our contributions to their operations will help the Vietnamese community to strengthen and support those affected by this disaster.?
