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Record Demand "Frees" out 2010 Virgin Mobile FreeFest Presented by Kyocera

The 2010 Virgin Mobile FreeFest presented by Kyocera will take place Saturday, Sept. 25 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md. Artists include M.I.A., LCD Soundsystem, T.I., Pavement and Ludacris. Fans can still pay $125 for a pavilion seat, with a portion of proceeds going to homeless youth.

"We built FreeFest to be about charitable giving," said Ron Faris, director-Brand Experiences, Virgin Mobile USA. "We're encouraging fans and customers to get out there and help someone less fortunate than themselves. Last year, through FreeFest, we generated more than 30,000 hours of volunteerism to address youth homelessness. We hope that, together with our fans, we can exceed that milestone this year."

Get involved

Starting today in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., The RE*Generation's "Free I.P." program will allow fans to volunteer eight hours of their time in exchange for a chance to earn a ticket to the free festival. Volunteers in Maryland and Washington, D.C. can sign up to help today at Virgin Mobile's FreeFest website at http://www.virginmobilefreefest.com/freeip. Additional volunteer opportunities will open in the following weeks at select homeless youth organizations throughout the country.

"Young people deserve safe homes and supportive communities. Virgin Mobile's commitment to homeless youth could not come at a better time. The work of volunteers will enhance our ability to give young people the care they need in this time of recession," said Deborah Shore, executive director of Sasha Bruce Youthwork, a youth and family service agency which provides outreach, shelter and independent living programs for homeless youth in Washington, D.C.

People in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area can sign up to volunteer eight hours in exchange for a chance to earn one Free I.P. ticket. This offer is good while ticket supplies last. Volunteers also can participate in broader community service projects offered by Howard County. Check out www.virginmobilefreefest.com/freeip for more details.

"We are happy to partner with Virgin Mobile again this year on our Summer of Service," said Ken Ulman, Howard County Executive. "Last year, we were able to connect thousands of volunteers with many nonprofit partners in our community, and we're excited to build on that success this summer."

Although the festival is free, Virgin Mobile is encouraging donations to specifically help provide educational opportunities for homeless youth. Homeless youth organizations working with Virgin Mobile USA include Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Green Chimneys and the National Alliance to Educate Homeless Children and Youth.

About the Virgin Mobile FreeFest

The 2010 Virgin Mobile FreeFest will be hosted for the second year on the beautiful 40 wooded acres of Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md., on Saturday, Sept. 25. Those scheduled to appear at this year's FreeFest include M.I.A., Ludacris, LCD Soundsystem, Pavement, T.I., Joan Jett, Chromeo, Thievery Corporation, Matt & Kim, Jimmy Eat World, The Temper Trap, Yeasayer, Die Antwoord, Neon Indian and Modeselektor. More information is available at www.virginmobilefreefest.com.

About Virgin Mobile USA

Virgin Mobile USA, one of Sprint's prepaid brands, offers millions of customers control, flexibility and connectivity through Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk plans for mobile phone service and prepaid Broadband2Go high-speed Web access. Virgin Mobile branded handsets are available at more than 40,000 retail stores, including Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy and RadioShack.

Top-Up cards are available at approximately 150,000 locations nationwide and can be used for Assurance Wireless and Broadband2Go services. Purchase and experience Virgin Mobile on the Web and at Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and www.virginmobileusa.com.

Media Contacts:
Virgin Mobile USA
Corinne Nosal, 908-607-4235
corinne.nosal@sprint.com
or
for Virgin Mobile USA
Audrey Schaefer, 301-947-1133
Audrey@schaefer.com