Mayor Rybak encourages people to use free wireless to find and help hurricane victims
Free “Wireless Wednesday” to help victims of Hurricane Gustav
September 3, 2008 (MINNEAPOLIS) – Mayor R.T. Rybak today encouraged city residents and visitors to use Minneapolis’ wireless internet network to help victims of Hurricane Gustav during the Republican National Convention. Mayor Rybak wants people to take advantage of “Wireless Wednesday” – free access to the USI Wireless network in Minneapolis to donate to the American Red Cross’ 2008 hurricane fund or check on the well being of loved ones in the region.
“People in Minneapolis are always willing to lend a hand to those in need,” Mayor Rybak said. “By building a citywide wireless network here in Minneapolis, we have a unique way to encourage people to help Gulf Coast residents affected by Hurricane Gustav.”
Through a partnership between the City, MySpace and USI Wireless, four wireless kiosks have been placed on the Nicollet Mall during the Republican National Convention. Computers at those kiosks link up to the wireless network for free, and all will have bookmarks for the American Red Cross so people can easily donate and find out about loved ones caught in the path of Gustav.
The City of Minneapolis, in partnership with USI Wireless and MySpace, declared today (Wednesday, Sept. 3) as Free Wireless Wednesday, a day when visitors and residents can log on to USI Wireless’ citywide wireless network free of charge until midnight. Anyone who can get a signal from the network will be able to take advantage of this free service. Officials hope that folks will take advantage of this to check out the wireless network, and to use it to donate to the Red Cross. In general the wireless network in Minneapolis covers the outdoor space so additional equipment is most likely required to get a signal in buildings.
To donate to the American Red Cross’ 2008 hurricane relief fund, go to the Red Cross Twin Cities’ Web site, www.redcrosstc.org, and click on the “2008 hurricane season” banner.
The Red Cross also has a “Safe and Well” page, where people in the path of the hurricane can submit their name so loved ones across the country can know they’re okay. To check out that site, go to https://disastersafe.redcross.org/default.aspx.
|