Spectrum Commits $2.5 Million to Wildfire Relief Efforts

Spectrum trucks (Photo – corporate.charter.com)

Including $500,000 in Cash Contributions, $1 Million to be Invested in Area Small Businesses, and $1 Million in PSAs to Support Relief Organization.

By News Desk

Spectrum announced on Tuesday, January 14, it has committed $2.5 million to assist in wildfire relief efforts in Southern California. Spectrum’s commitment includes:

• $500,000 in total cash contributions to be split between the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, and the California Fire Foundation;
• $1 million committed to support small businesses in the Los Angeles area through the Spectrum Community Investment Loan Fund;*
• and $1 million in in-kind public service announcement (PSA) airtime to support nonprofit organizations in their wildfire relief efforts.

*The Spectrum Community Investment Loan Fund provides loans through community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to small businesses whose goods and services meet core needs of underserved communities. In addition, Spectrum will leverage its other existing community-based programs to support impacted communities, including Spectrum Community Center Assist which aims to improve the physical condition of community centers in underserved rural and urban communities, as well as support programs that provide job skills training.

Stay connected

Spectrum announced that its local teams are working to restore service as conditions permit:

• If your home or business has been damaged resulting in loss of any equipment, contact customer service to ensure you’re not charged for damages, and help you stay connected.
• After power is restored, customers who are still without Spectrum service will proactively receive credits for the time they remain offline. The credits will be applied on their following bill statement(s). “This will happen automatically – there’s no need to contact us,” according to a statement by Spectrum. (For regular updates customers should visit Spectrum.net/LAwildfires).
• WiFi Access Points – Spectrum opened more than 35,000 out-of-home WiFi access points across Southern California to be available to all users at no cost. These WiFi access points will remain open to provide connectivity during the wildfires. WiFi access points are typically found in public parks, marinas, city streets and other public areas and will help ensure available connectivity as the wildfires continue. Spectrum Mobile and Internet customers will continue to get free, unlimited access to nationwide Spectrum Out-of-Home WiFi on‑the‑go.

To help relief and service organizations during the LA Wildfires, Spectrum is providing a number of Red Cross locations and other service organizations that have Spectrum a free upgrade to 1 Gig service. Spectrum is also offering free 1 Gig service through the end of February to service organizations providing support during the wildfires that are not currently Spectrum subscribers.

For Spectrum Employees

Spectrum has activated the company’s Employee Disaster Assistance Policy to support employees with expenses incurred during this emergency including costs related to temporary housing, transportation, and the purchase of food and essential items.

Spectrum has also established a microsite to facilitate employee donations to the American Red Cross.