From the website:
The Wireless Foundation initiates and oversees philanthropic programs that utilize wireless technology to help American communities.
Since the first commercial cellular system came on line in Chicago in October of 1983, the impact of wireless technology upon our lives has grown steadily. Today, nearly 240 million Americans use a wireless phone to stay in touch, change plans on the fly, and to run their daily lives more efficiently.
One of the most significant ways that wireless technology has changed the landscape of American communities is to help make us all safer. This safety benefit lies at the heart of The Wireless Foundation's programs, both past and present. Our first major program, Communities on Phone Patrol (or COPP) provided wireless phones to neighborhood watch groups, so that citizens who volunteered to patrol their neighborhoods had a reliable way to contact law enforcement when help was needed. ClassLink provided phones and airtime to classroom teachers that not only helped them teach more efficiently, but also helped contribute to school safety. Since 1996, CALL TO PROTECT has provided both wireless phones and substantial funding to help survivors of domestic violence and charitable agencies that seek to end family violence. And, our VITA program has, since 1993, recognized the remarkable stories of Wireless Samaritans who have used wireless technology to stop crime and save lives in emergencies.
In 2005, The Wireless Foundation launched the Wireless AMBER Alerts initiative, working with law enforcement and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to send AMBER Alert text messages to consumer's wireless devices with information about an abducted child in their community. In 2006, The Ad Council developed and launched a nationwide PSA campaign to help make consumers aware of this valuable public service.
The Wireless Foundation also works with The American Red Cross on the Text 2HELP program, which allows wireless users to donate $5.00 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund when major disasters such as Hurricane Katrina strike.
