Comcast Corporation is the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment, and communications products and services. With 21.5 million cable customers and 7 million High-Speed Internet customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management, and operation of broadband cable networks and in the delivery of programming content. But at Comcast we also believe our commitment goes well beyond bringing the best cable and HDTV or Internet technologies into our customers' homes. Our greatest investment is supporting and serving the community that is home to both our customers and our employees.
Among the touchstones of Comcast's commitment to service is helping to enrich local communities. There have been several recent programs and events designed to empower neighborhoods, and we believe that one of the most important investments we can make as citizens is to support our community through local partnerships and sponsored events.
The Comcast Foundation provides financial support to strengthen communities, identifying programs that focus in the areas of literacy, volunteerism, and youth leadership. The Comcast Foundation has supported organizations throughout the Bay Area including San Jose's Role Model Program, which strives to empower at-risk elementary and middle-school students to achieve academic excellence and positive life choices; and The Marin Literacy Program's Outreach Works!, which serves to support, using technology, adult learners and volunteer tutors in efforts to increase basic reading, writing, and conversation skills of the undeserved and at-risk in Marin County. The Comcast Foundation has also supported Street Tech, an organization that teaches technology to underserved individuals to gain employment as well as funded programs at the Boys and Girls Club in both Vacaville and the Peninsula. Meanwhile, in Salinas, the Comcast Foundation has funded Reading for Peace, a violence prevention strategy to help young students succeed academically by promoting independent reading by third grade.
A shining example of Comcast's community commitment is the Leaders and Achievers Scholarship program, which is awarded to high school students who serve as role models for their peers by achieving their academic potential and by being catalysts for positive change within their communities. Comcast has awarded over 100 scholarships to bay area students to continue their education experience.
Comcast also continues to be the title sponsor for the San Jose Jazz Festival, a free community event that draws crowds of over 200,000 to the City of San Jose. In addition, Comcast and VH1's Save the Music Program donated over $350,000 worth of new musical instruments to the Oakland Unified School District.
Even within our own company, Comcast celebrates its diversity by sponsoring the festivities, celebrations, and holidays of its cultures, including the Autumn Moon Festival, Carnaval, and Chinese New Year.
The crowning achievement of Comcast's investment in the local community is perhaps best seen in Comcast Cares Day, which takes place annually on the first Saturday in October. On this special day, employee volunteers and their families participate in a day of community service. This past year, we saw a need to volunteer to help local schools. Comcast's record-breaking 3,100 volunteers built a paved walkway, sanded and painted buildings, benches, and other structures, constructed or repaired planter boxes, set up playground equipment and more for schools around the Bay Area!
Ralph Roberts, Founder of Comcast, says that "we can't overlook the importance of being an active part of the communities where we do business. It brings us closer to our customers...and it's a morale builder for the entire community to know that Comcast wants to share and wants to participate."
