Day: September 6, 2008

customer service, internet, technology

Another reason to love Verizon

Christa Avampato

I don’t know too many people who say they love their cell phone company. When I moved into my apartment about a year ago, AT&T, my cell phone company for 9 years, didn’t work. No signal. The only service that did get a signal on my comfy couch was Verizon. I was weary of switching. I didn’t love AT&T. They’re expensive, the customer service is awful, and I felt no affinity for the brand. But I was a victim of that sad addage, “I’d rather make a deal with the devil I know…” Until I couldn’t make that deal anymore – I had to get Verizon. My friends who had the service, especially Dan, raved about how friendly and helpful they were. I was skeptical, but I signed up. Now, I’m wondering why I didn’t switch years ago!


I had another recent wireless issue. For the past year, I have been able to tap into my landlord’s wireless network because he never locks it up. Up until a month ago, it always worked just fine. Lately, it’s flaked out on me repeatedly. I dreaded getting in touch with internet providers, buying my own modem, waiting for the installation tech o show up, not to mention the expense. 

And then I saw a commercial for a Verizon device that lets you take the internet with you wherever you go. The UM175 USB Modem. It was love at first site. Now my internet works in my apartment all the time, and it works everywhere else I go with my laptop too. No more concern over whether a coffee shop or vacation spot has internet access. I have my own supply ready to go. And it matches by white Macbook – an accessorizing queen’s dream!

And the customer service was fantastic. I walked in to my neighborhood Verizon store, was helped by two friendly Verizon folks, got an instant rebate and discount on service because of my employer, and was out the door with my internet in hand in 5 minutes. Seriously. It took 5 minutes to install on my laptop. Seriously. And I’ve been happily clicking away on the internet ever since, everywhere I go, all for about $30 a month. Who says you can’t love your wireless company?!  
books, charity, education, nonprofit

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

Christa Avampato

I spend a lot of time reading books, magazine and newspaper articles, and watching TV programs that pertain to work being done by nonprofits and NGOS. I spent part of my career in the nonprofit world and have volunteered in my community for as long as I can remember as my mother is also very committed to service.


I talk to friends about their nonprofit work and my company gives generously to a whole host of these organizations. I have a carefully chosen few organizations that I donate to and if friends send me a notice that they are running a race or taking part in some other way to raise money for a charity they believe in, I’m good for a donation. Lately I’ve been feeling the need to do more and I’m not sure if that means joining a board, lending my business expertise on a pro-bono basis, or committing a great amount of volunteer time. Maybe it means starting my own nonprofit. 

Because of my interest in education, especially that of girls in developing nations, I picked up a copy of Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. The book charts the course that Greg Mortenson took to building schools first in the village of Korphe in Pakistan, then all over that country, and most recently in Afghanistan. I was so moved by Greg’s story that about 50 pages through the book I went to the website to make a donation. He is compelling, engaging, passionate, and he’s in the field for all the right reasons. 

Greg believes, as I do, that education changes the paradigm. We cannot hope to ensure our own national security and that of our allies if we do not take make the effort to provide basic education, particularly to women, in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan. We cannot go in with guns a-blazing a la George W. Bush, obliterate an entire nation to rubble, and then walk away with a defiant “take that” tossed over our shoulders. Our behavior in the Middle East makes me hang my head in shame. 

The way to peace is through books, through education, and through nurturing the imaginations and curiosities of children. Greg and his nonprofit, the Central Asia Institute, are doing that effectively, efficiently, and safely. I couldn’t imagine a better use for my charitable giving.