CAMBRIDGE, MA-March 9,1999-
Imagine if every time you made a long distance call, you could help
ease the crisis facing America's family farmers. Beginning today
you can.
For every long-distance call in the U.S. made with 10-10-220,
Telecom USA will donate a portion of the proceeds to Farm Aid from
March 9 to April 19. Starting today, 10-10-220 will promote the Farm
Aid donation with a TV commercial which features Mark Miller of Sawyer
Brown.
"As a cattle farmer myself, I know how tough it is to operate a
family farm today. It's important to America's past and future
generations that we keep farm families working the land," said
Miller. "That's why Sawyer Brown is proud to support Farm
Aid's efforts to help preserve this part of America's
heritage."
"We're thrilled that 10-10-220 and Mark Miller are telling
people across the country there is something they can do about the
critical situation facing America's family farmers. Their donations
will support crucial programs that help family farmers stay in their
homes and on their land," said Farm Aid Executive Director Carolyn
Mugar.
The 10-10-220 promotion supports a continuing effort by Farm Aid to
bring attention to the plight of farm families and rural residents, who
are currently experiencing the worst financial crisis since the mass
auctions of family farms in the mid-1980s. Every week, more than 500
American family farmers are forced to sell their farms.
"10-10-220 has a history of saving consumers money on their
long-distance bills while giving back to the community," said
Patty Proferes, vice president of Telecom USA's corporate parent,
MCI WorldCom. "Our support of Farm Aid is a win for America's
family farmers and our customers."
10-10-220 is a long-distance service offered by Telecom USA, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of MCI WorldCom. 10-10-220 offers all calls
anywhere in the U.S. and to Canada up to 20 minutes for just 99 cents
and only 10 cents a minute thereafter. 10-10-220 is easy to use and
allows customers to save on their long-distance calls without changing
long-distance carriers. To use 10-10-220, customers just dial
10-10-220, then 1, then the area code and number they wish to call.
Farm Aid was founded by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John
Mellencamp in 1985. In the past 14 years, Farm Aid has donated nearly
$15 million to more than 100 farm organizations, churches and service
agencies in 44 states.
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