CAMP   HEARTLAND

02/05/04   Nita Singh Named Vice President of
                Camp Heartland Board of Directors

The Situation:
Camp Heartland, a non-profit organization for children infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS, needed assistance with telecommunications for a national fundraising event. Camp Heartland's toll-free number was to appear on national network primetime television, during and after a documentary called Angelie's Secret, about a young girl who is HIV+. Camp Heartland had no idea how to handle the anticipated overwhelming call volume.

The ABC Solution:
ABC put their telecommunication skills to work. First, the ABC team worked with industry contacts to donate the necessary phone lines and telecommunications equipment needed for the large-scale project. Next, the team spent three weeks creating a complex and elaborate call routing plan that factored in the number of volunteers staffing one of 80 call centers, multiple time zones, and proximity to the caller's originating calling area. ABC's efforts made it possible to receive $300,000 in donations immediately after the show. The telecommunications support also facilitated people calling in to pledge their talents, like artist Eric Waugh who asked, "How can I help?" He's since created the world's largest painting by one artist, and is auctioning off panels of the artwork to raise up to $1 million dollars for Camp Heartland.

The Result:
"We consider ABC part of our team," says Susan Leckey, Camp Heartland's Director of Community Relations. "Because of the nature of our organization, every missed call could be a missed donation. Telecommunications is critical for Camp Heartland because our national scope."

Today, ABC continues to work with Camp Heartland on an ongoing pro bono basis, handling all its telecommunication needs from securing phone systems to auditing bills to help reduce and control expenses. "Each month, the money we save from ABC auditing our bills means we can send another child to camp or we don't have to cut a program," Leckey says. "We had lots of problems with being charged taxes even though we are a tax-exempt organization. ABC not only fixed the problem, they recovered all of our back taxes." In addition, ABC supports Camp Heartland's national appearances, like when founder Neil Willenson appeared on the Oprah Winfery Show to accept his "Use Your Life Award."

"Over the years, the ABC team has proved they are a partner you can trust," Leckey says.

To learn more about Camp Heartland call 1-888-724-HOPE or visit www.campheartland.org.