MCIP Mci (MM)

ASHBURN, Va., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MCI, Inc. (NASDAQ:MCIP) announced today that it will take part in a televised benefit to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Employees from MCI customer service call centers in Greenville, S.C., Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Sergeant Bluff, Iowa will volunteer their time tonight to answer calls for the telethon, Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast. The one-hour commercial-free fundraiser begins at 8 p.m. ET and will air on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The WB, UPN and more than 30 cable affiliates, and will raise much needed funds to support Hurricane Katrina relief. The telethon features an all-star cast, including Jennifer Aniston, Sheryl Crow, Cameron Diaz and Jack Nicholson. All proceeds of the telethon will go to the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. The toll-free telethon number is 866 - 4 AID NOW. "In the wake of Hurricane Katrina there has been an amazing outpouring of support from MCI employees," said Todd Goldthwaite, MCI's vice president of Consumer Customer Service. "We are proud to be a part of the telethon." In addition to assisting with the telethon, MCI is working closely with government officials, relief agencies and other organizations in the U.S. Gulf Coast and surrounding areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina to restore vital network infrastructure to provide humanitarian aid. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, MCI announced a company-wide goal to raise a minimum of $3 million for hurricane relief through corporate contributions, an employee matching donation program, in-kind donations, volunteerism and other relief support efforts. To kick start these efforts, MCI pledged to contribute $500,000 in cash to the American Red Cross on behalf of its employees and the company. That donation comprises a $250,000 immediate cash donation by the company and a 3:1 company match against the first $250,000 in employee donations. About MCI, Inc. MCI, Inc. (NASDAQ:MCIP) is a leading global communications provider, delivering innovative, cost-effective, advanced communications connectivity to businesses, governments and consumers. With one of the most expansive global IP backbones and wholly-owned data networks, MCI develops the converged communications products and services that are the foundation for commerce and communications in today's market. For more information, go to http://www.mci.com/. DATASOURCE: MCI, Inc. CONTACT: Brittany Feinson, MCI Public Relations, +1-800-644-NEWS Web site: http://www.mci.com/

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