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RadioShack Stores Nationwide Offer Free Internet to Katrina Victims
Internet access through RadioShack Corporation's nearly 5,000 company stores nationwide is being offered free of charge to victims of Hurricane Katrina, the consumer electronics retailer announced Friday.
Internet service for disaster relief needs will be made available to individuals through the end of October at each store's Internet Center, a place where customers and sales associates normally access the company's Internet site to search for products and information. Certain stores affected by the hurricane in Louisiana and Mississippi may still be without Internet connections, but they will be made available to victims when they go back in service.
"Thousands of people uprooted by Hurricane Katrina are virtually disconnected from society -- no e-mail, no easy way to file for benefits, even the inability to check on the well-being of missing family members or friends," said Stu Asimus, RadioShack's senior vice president and chief channel operations officer. "Ironically, the help they need may be only a few clicks away on the Internet. However, the lack of access to basic computer equipment and online connections during this time of transition is challenging, to say the least. With RadioShack stores and Internet connections in almost every neighborhood in the country, we feel that offering free Internet access through our Internet Centers will provide a small degree of assistance, if not comfort, in the short term."
Hurricane victims are encouraged to visit any local RadioShack store during normal store hours and speak to the manager for assistance in getting online in the Internet Center. Availability and usage may be affected by such things as connection speed and the number of other people wishing to go online. Dozens of helpful Web sites are available for help and assistance, but a good starting point is http://www.redcross.org/ or http://www.fema.gov/ .
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