ATLANTA, /PRNewswire/ BellSouth (NYSE: BLS — News) today announced that BellSouth Georgia Pioneer volunteers will place red ribbons on the antennas of BellSouth vehicles in Georgia in support of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Red Ribbon campaign. The annual October campaign supports MADD’s efforts to combat alcohol use among youth.
«For the second straight year, we at BellSouth are again eager to step forward in supporting MADD and its efforts in Georgia communities to stop drunk driving and prevent underage drinking,» said Rod Odom, president of BellSouth Network Services. «With BellSouth employees now operating more than 4,000 company vehicles in Georgia communities, we expect to make an impact in spreading the word about MADD’s ’Tie One on for Safety’ campaign and helping to ensure a bright future for our youth.» This year’s MADD campaign in Georgia has also received the support of University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt. «I encourage all Georgia youth, parents and residents to support the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Red Ribbon campaign, and I applaud BellSouth for its efforts in spreading MADD’s message across Georgia,» said Richt. «This year’s campaign provides a special opportunity for families and friends to focus on the many ways to stop drunk driving and alcohol use among our youth.» Christopher Noe, Georgia executive director of MADD, encouraged parents and community organizations to participate in national and local MADD programs that help stop drunk driving, support the victims of drunk driving accidents and prevent underage drinking. «We’re working hard to change the norms that imply that underage drinking is acceptable,» said Noe. «We believe in giving young people an intelligent, »The partnership between MADD and BellSouth will help increase public awareness to the consequences of drunk driving on our roads, along with the financial and emotional costs to families." About the BellSouth Pioneer Volunteers The BellSouth Pioneer volunteers represent more than 100,000 active and retired employees from each of the nine states of the BellSouth organization. In 2003, BellSouth Pioneers across the region gave 3.2 million hours of volunteer time, which has a value determined by the Points of Light Foundation of approximately $55 million. For more information about the BellSouth Pioneers, please visit About BellSouth Corporation BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications company headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., and a parent company of Cingular Wireless, the nation’s second largest wireless voice and data provider. Backed by award winning customer service, BellSouth offers the most comprehensive and innovative package of voice and data services available in the market. Through BellSouth Answers®, residential and small business customers can bundle their local and long distance service with dial up and high speed DSL Internet access, satellite television and Cingular® Wireless service. For businesses, BellSouth provides secure, reliable local and long distance voice and data networking solutions. BellSouth also offers online and directory advertising through BellSouth® RealPages.com® and The Real Yellow Pages®. More information about BellSouth can be found at
Source: BellSouth Corporation