News

There are only a few short days left, but once again, audiophiles can help themselves and others at the same time by participating in The Cable Company's sixth annual "Summer Against Hunger" campaign. The Cable Company (and www.usedcable.com), along with several manufacturers and audiophile publications, have set up a program by which they offer to donate up to 10% of August sales to CARE and the International Rescue Committee, these contributions to be used to assist the worldwide disaster relief efforts of those humanitarian organizations.

In the five previous "Summer Against Hunger" efforts, The Cable Company reports, a total of over $50,000 in contributions had been raised with the help of underwriting manufacturers. The company describes the effort as a cooperative program that works because of the assistance of many individuals and companies.

The Cable Company donates 5% of its total August sales, while underwriting manufacturers (the majority of The Cable Company's suppliers, as listed in their August magazine ad) match this contribution from qualifying purchases of their products. Both Stereophile and The Absolute Sound participate by contributing full-page ads in their August issues, and even the ad design and layout are donated by their respective agencies.

The Cable Company's Robert Stein says, "I am extremely grateful for the support we get from the high-end industry. We all fight the good fight year 'round to keep our businesses strong and healthy. August, which used to grind by, is now our most satisfying month of the year. It makes us feel good about what we do. And our customers confirm that they, too, like the idea that during the fund-raiser, they can leverage their audio purchases in a unique way to generate charitable contributions."

Stein adds, "Our participation not only affects our attitudes, but in fact, our efforts do make a real difference. On the ground, just ask an aid worker installing a sanitary water supply in a refugee camp if our dollars count. And CARE saves the lives of over 2500 severely dehydrated children every day with a simple salt, water, and sugar solution that costs pennies."