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Promotions & Events
| Bright House Kicks Off The Summer At Holly Hill Boys and Girls Club |
Bright House Networks celebrated the first day of summer with more than 100 children at the Holly Hill Boys and Girls Club. At the “Summer Kickoff Party”, Bright House served ice cream and provided each child with a book of their own for summer reading.
At the party, members of the Holly Hill Boys & Girls Club helped to hang a sign that recognizes the company’s donation of free high speed Internet service to the 10-computer learning lab at Holly Hill, and the seven other Boys & Girls Clubs in Volusia and Flagler Counties.
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(left to right) Holly Hill Boys & Girls Clubs members Chelsea Harris, Dezney Manning, and Jonathan Martinez assist Brian Craven from Bright House Networks in placing a sign recognizing the fact that Bright House Networks provides high speed Internet service at no cost to the club’s computer lab.
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Asterisk “Big Harry” Surprises Students
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More than one hundred students at Cypress Springs Elementary celebrated graduation from fifth grade with a big, hairy surprise. The Bright House Networks Asterisk, “Big Harry,” surprised students in the school’s cafeteria as they returned from an adventure-themed field day of scavenger hunts, crafts, and various relays and games.
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Cypress Springs Elementary fifth grade students celebrate with “Big Harry”.
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It Was A Bright And Sunny Day For The Bright House Networks Solar Cook-off
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More than 200 Florida students recently demonstrated their cooking skills in the first Bright House Networks Solar Energy Cook-off at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in Cocoa. Forty two teams spent about six weeks preparing by designing and building solar cookers for the competition in the Elementary and Middle School divisions of this first-of-its-kind event. Students demonstrated the performance of their solar cookers at the Bright House Solar Energy Cook-off by heating an original dish of food created especially for the competition. Team entries were also judged on their engineering design and creativity.
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Conway Middle School’s Solar Cook-off team, “Breakfast Buddies,” cooked a breakfast menu in their handmade solar cooker.
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Bright House Networks Awards 11th Nap Ford Scholarship To Jones High School Senior
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For the 11th year in a row, Bright House Networks presented its prestigious Nap Ford Scholarship to a Jones High School student. This year, senior Larissa Brown received the $5,000 scholarship at a ceremony held at Jones High.
Bright House Networks has awarded $55,000 in the past decade to Jones High School seniors who exemplify the integrity and academic commitments championed by former Jones teacher/coach and Orlando City Councilman Nap Ford.
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Nap Ford recipient Larissa Brown with Natalie Ford and Bright House Networks Director of Public Affairs and Communications Brian Craven
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Central Florida Teachers Honored With Prestigious Bright House Star Teacher Award
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Bright House Networks recognized eight Central Florida teachers with the prestigious 2009 Star Teacher Award. The annual awards program recognizes educators’ outstanding and creative efforts in utilizing educational programming from Cable in the Classroom to enrich the classroom learning experience.
The Star Teachers Award was created to recognize those teachers who used cable programming and services in creative and dynamic ways that involve and engage students and ultimately, enriching the education experience. Bright House Networks provides the connection and basic cable service free to virtually all schools in the company’s service areas.
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Keith James, Director of Community Relations, Bright House Networks and Lucille Case, Rock Lake Middle School, Longwood – “Entrepreneurs Incorporated.”
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Bright Kids Book Drive Book-A-Thon Success
The Fourth Annual Bright Kids Book Drive Book-A-Thon, hosted at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre in Orlando, contributed to the collection of almost 10,000 books for A Gift For Teaching, the free store for teachers. Bright House Networks produces the book-a-thon every year, along with collecting books for A Gift For Teaching.
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News 13 Chief Meteorologist Jeff Day with Bright Kids Book Drive Book-A-Thon participants at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre.
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Walkin’ On The Wild Side
Bright House Networks volunteers gathered at the Central Florida Zoo to take a walk on the wild side… and help others at the same time! The Hope and Help Center of Central Florida hosted the Sanford Stroll, a walk to benefit patients and families affected by HIV/AIDS in the central Florida community.
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Back row L to R: Vicki Corsino, Shantia McLain, Barbara Krah, Luz Rivera, Jim Kelly, Sonya Rivera, Keith James Front row L to R: Gary Walsh, Glorimar Rivera, and Dale Peterson.
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First-Ever Sunsational EarthFest Is Sensational
Sunsational EarthFest at the Florida Solar Energy Center hosted nearly 2,000 people in its first year, as the first-ever event of its kind.
The free event, sponsored by Bright House Networks, offered a wide variety of activities for the whole family including a hydrogen fuel cell car race for middle school students, environmental and solar exhibits and vendors, local organic food and clothing, demonstrations of renewable energy technologies, and presentations on green buildings, solar power, alternative fuels and more!
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Bobblehead Pete Welcomes Baseball Fans
Bright House Networks teamed up with TBS/TBS HD to host the TBS Clubhouse MLB Promotion Tour at Space Coast Stadium. The event provided baseball fans and their families with the free and exciting experience of participating in an interactive zone before enjoying the spring training matchup between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves.
Fans had their photo taken with “Postseason Pete,” a 12-foot, 600-pound baseball player bobblehead. In addition, attendees tried their hand at batting practice with a “Wii Bat,” and received a special TBS Clubhouse MLB Magnet with the Bright House Networks logo.
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TBS Clubhouse Promotion “Event Crew” from Bright House Networks and TBS with Bobblehead Pete.
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Science Whiz Kids Shine in the Sunshine State
Florida Solar Energy Center Middle School Science Bowl presented by Bright House Networks is a fast-paced academic competition in which students answer questions about earth science, physical science, life science, general science and math. The 2009 event took place at the Florida Solar Energy Center in Brevard County where Lincoln Middle School took the crown and will go on to represent the Southeast region of the United States at the National Middle School Science Bowl.
In addition, the top eight teams of the competition will participate in a workshop on how to build a model-size hydrogen car and demonstrate their cars’ performance at the Sunsational EarthFest, also sponsored by Bright House Networks.
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Bright House Networks Public Affairs Manager Cindy Terry with Lincoln Middle School Science Bowl team members.
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Fastbreak All The Way To Success
Bright House Networks and TNT rewarded Markham Woods Middle School student Steven Martin with VIP treatment at an Orlando Magic game for his good grades, attendance and leadership skills as part of the Fast Break to Success Youth Foundation, an organization which helps support middle to low income middle school students by educating, mentoring and building good character through basketball.
Bright House Networks and TNT hoped to reinforce the values taught through Fast Break to Success by providing an outstanding student with two tickets to the Orlando Magic basketball game. Martin was escorted to the Amway Arena by town car where he received a VIP tour of the TNT production facility prior to the game and a gift bag full of merchandise.
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Bright House Networks Community Relations Director Keith James, Markham Woods Middle School and Fast Break to Success student athlete Steven Martin with school Vice Principal Rodney Bellamy at the Orlando Magic game.
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The Winners Of The 2009 Crystal House Award Are . . .
Bright House Networks recognized seven employees at their annual Crystal House Awards Gala, held in Daytona Beach. The winners of the 2009 Crystal House Awards were rewarded for exemplifying an extraordinary commitment within their individual communities.
The prestigious Crystal House Awards is four years old and has recognized over two dozen employees for their outstanding work throughout the communities Bright House Networks serves nationally. Each winner embodies a strong sense of philanthropy and social responsibility and has consistently made a significant difference where they live and work.
Two winners were announced for the Central Florida area. Gary Walsh was named the 2009 winner from Bright House Networks Central Florida Division. Jackie Brockington recieved the award for Central Florida News 13.
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Jones High School student Phillip Thomas prepares to speak live on Washington Journal.
2009 Crystal House Award winner Jackie Brockington, Central Florida News 13 News Anchor
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C-SPAN Bus Rolls Through Town
Bright House Networks hosted the C-SPAN Civics Bus at various locations in Central Florida as it kicked off it’s “100 Days, 100 Schools” tour which includes visits to 100 schools during the first 100 days of the new presidential administration.
The C-SPAN Civics bus, a 45-foot mobile production studio and demonstration center, kicked off the “100 Days, 100 Schools” tour at Jones High School where students were taped live on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal news show about their recent visit to Washington DC. The C-SPAN Civics Bus made its second Central Florida stop at the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities where it was open to the public all weekend.
The bus concluded its Central Florida stint of the tour in Volusia County at Seabreeze High School and DeLand High School where the bus was open for tours with teachers and students, and Bright House and C-SPAN conducted a teacher workshop for teachers.
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Jones High School student Phillip Thomas prepares to speak live on Washington Journal.
C-Span Civics Bus at the Zora Neale Hurston Festival in historic Eatonville.
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Now You Know The Digital Story
In preparation for the upcoming Digital Television Transition, Bright House Networks launched an exhibit at the Orlando Science Center that provides the history of cable television and how the change from analog to digital technology will work. Bright House Network’s designed exhibit includes old analog equipment, new digital equipment and signage to explain key terms and clarify how the transition will occur.
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Students Get To Witness History
Bright House Networks took part in the Jones High School inauguration viewing party where students watched President Obama’s inauguration in support of 40 of their peers who traveled to Washington DC to witness the historical event.
At Jones High School, classmates and children from nearby elementary schools watched the inauguration on a big screen in the auditorium, set up in part by Bright House Networks. Bright House also provided each student with an “Inauguration Viewing Pass” to serve as memorabilia from the event.
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A Salute To Martin Luther King Jr.
Bright House Networks participated in the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Festival hosted by the Town of Eatonville. The event consisted of a one-mile parade down Kennedy Boulevard, followed by a festival in the center of town. The Town of Eatonville has continually honored the legacy of Dr. King for the past 31 years and hosts one of the oldest MLK celebrations in Central Florida.
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Run For The Children: 28 Years, 5k At A Time
A record number of runners, walkers and supporters joined Bright House Networks in supporting the “28th Annual Dick Batchelor Run for the Children” to benefit the Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families. The event included a Kids’ Fun Run following the 5K race portion of the day, while spectators, families and friends enjoyed activities and entertainment throughout the morning.
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Veterans Honored At Orlando Parade
Bright House Networks veterans and supporters marched in the City of Orlando’s Veterans Day Parade hosted by Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council. As an event sponsor, Bright House Networks invited employees and their family and friends to walk in the Downtown Orlando parade alongside Semper Fidelis America, National Vietnam War Museum and the Orlando Devil Dog Young Marines. The event included marching bands, floats, and men and women from over 150 Central Florida veterans organizations.
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Costume Characters Steal The Show At “Orange County Week Of The Family”
More than 2,000 families attended the Winter Park Family Festival on Saturday, October 1 at the kickoff to “Orange County Week of the Family” events in Central Florida. Bright House Networks served as Champion sponsor and hosted a visit from Scooby Doo from Cartoon Network.
The events culminated with more than 4,000 families attending the weeklong finale in Blanchard Park in Orange County on Saturday, November 1 where Bright House Networks hosted Dora the Explorer who charmed children and families alike.
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Computer Classes Hit The Road in Volusia County
A cutting edge 12-station mobile technology bus, sponsored by Bright House Networks, will enable Adult & Community Education of Flagler County Schools to provide the Make It-Take It program to rural districts around the community. The mobile technology center is equipped with 12, Apple laptop iBooks that operate Microsoft Windows. The bus also carries a 42” plasma TV that rises from a box which serves as the projector screen.
The mission is to provide students with computer technology to empower them with the knowledge to use it effectively. The result is that students use this technology to open previously closed doors of opportunity. The Make It - Take It courses consist of two sections, each one lasting two to four weeks. The first section covers basic computing concepts and computing terminology. The second section gives the students hands-on experience with computer hardware. Students learn how to completely break down and rebuild a desktop computer and install operating systems and programs. At the end of the course, the students take a rebuilt computer home to keep, thus providing them with access to technology in their homes.
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Lacing Up The Sneakers For Breast Cancer
October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Bright House Networks employees across Central Florida laced up their sneakers for the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks at The Avenue Viera shopping center in Brevard County and Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando. The event celebrates breast cancer survivors, educates women about the importance of reducing their cancer risks, and raises money to fund lifesaving research and support programs to progress against the disease. The downtown Orlando walk was the largest walk for breast cancer awareness in Florida with more than 5,000 participants.
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Education Extravaganza
Held every October, Bright House Networks partners with the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce to present East Orlando Celebrates Education Day at Waterford Lakes Towne Center. The fun-filled day supports local schools. Throughout the day, school groups showcase their talents to more than 10,000 attendees to raise funds for their organizations. Students and adults competed for prizes in a variety of contests including math olympics, spelling bees, a science extravaganza and a geography challenge.
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Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist Seymour Hersh Packs The Library!
Seymour Hersh, one of the nation’s most respected investigative journalists, packed the downtown branch of the Orange County Library System recently when he served as the featured speaker for the Second Annual Bright House Networks “Evening With The Author” signature event. Hersh, who is recognized for his ground breaking investigations including the My Lai Massacre and the Abu Ghraib scandal, spoke to a packed room and signed autographs afterward. Funds raised at the event support the library’s variety of after school programs available throughout the system’s 14 branches. Last year, Bright House’s speaker was White House Press Corp legend Helen Thomas.
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TVOne and Bright House Networks Event Simply Divine
TV One and Bright House Networks hosted a premiere screening party of TVOne’s church renovation series “Divine Restoration.” Orlando area churches Hurst Chapel AME Church and Pine Hills Community Church were featured in the third season of the show, which airs on Bright House Networks channel 159.
Pastor Charles Jackson, Hurst Chapel AME Church; Catherine Burdon, host of Divine Restoration; Pastor Anthony Johnson, Pine Hills Community Church; Cassandra Williams, Community Outreach Director Pine Hills; and George Lima, TV One (pictured, left to right) were in attendance at the screening party.
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Orlando Gets "Blindsided" By Premiere
HBO and Bright House Networks co-hosted the network premiere of the HBO Family Documentary “Blindsided” at an invitation-only screening at Lake Highland Preparatory School’s Harriett Coleman Center for the Arts. Jared Hara, the subject of the film, attended the event with his family, and is currently a senior at Lake Highland Preparatory School. The documentary will air on HBO Family, Bright House Networks channel 247.
Pictured at right, Blindsided star Jared Hara welcomed guests to the HBO Family Documentary’s Florida premiere at Lake Highland Preparatory School.
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Scouts Take To The Streets To Collect Food
More than 20,000 Boy Scouts and volunteers from seven counties will canvass the streets of Central Florida to deliver 700,000 grocery bags to homes, with the goal to collect more than 500,000 pounds of food for Second Harvest Food Bank. This marks the 20th year for Scouting for Food.
Collecting will take place in Orange, Brevard, Lake, Flagler, Seminole, Osceola and Volusia counties.
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We Are Packing Backpacks For Back To School
Bright House Networks once again has provided 700 backpacks and pounds of school supplies to key non-profit agencies in an effort to get sorely needed school supplies to students who otherwise might not have them. More than half of Central Florida students are at poverty level and face economic obstacles in preparing properly for the new school year. New school supplies help students feel positive and enthusiastic about starting a new year of learning.
The goal of the in-house school supply drive was to fill backpacks with the key school supplies a student needs to begin the new academic year. The backpacks were donated to A Gift for Teaching in Central Operations, the Gifts organization in North Operations, and to the Brevard School Foundation in East Operations.
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Are You Ready For Some Football?
Knightro, the official mascot for UCF, recently paid a visit to the Bright House Networks call center to kick off the football season and visit some of the Bright House team members who work the front lines – the call center.
Knightro was as at a small disadvantage -- his helmet was too big for him to don a phone headset.
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Bright House Networks Provides Laptops to 2008 Mullinax Ford ‘Drive for Success’ High School Achievers
For the seventh consecutive year, Bright House Networks and Central Florida News 13 recognized twelve Juniors and Seniors from schools across Central Florida for good grades and academic success through the 2008 Mullinax Ford ‘Drive for Success’ program. The event gives high school achievers a chance to win a laptop or a brand new car in exchange for good grades and attendance in school.
Pictured at right: 2008 Ford Focus winner Clayton Atkins, a Senior at Winter Springs High School, with girlfriend Alexi Lambert.
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CNN Election "Express Yourself" Tour
Bright House Networks, in partnership with CNN, brought the Election Express Yourself Tour to Downtown Orlando to give community members an opportunity to publicly voice their political views. As part of the Airstream trailer’s tour across the country, community members had an opportunity to design election memorabilia, participate in on-line activities and polls, play political trivia, create “shout out” video portraits, engage in on-line interaction, and numerous other on-site festivities. Almost 500 passers-by throughout the day took part in the event.
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Hispanic Leadership Joins Bright House Networks For WAPA America Launch
Some of Central Florida’s most respected members of Hispanic leadership joined with Bright House Networks for the official launch of WAPA America, one of Puerto Rico’s most beloved television channels. Chris Fenger, President of Bright House Networks Central Florida announced the channel launch and was joined by WAPA TV officials and two of Puerto Rico’s favorite celebrities Maricarmen Aviles and Sunshine Logrono. WAPA America can be seen on channel 63 and is part of the Bright House Networks Digital Cable TV tier at no extra charge.
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Left to Right: Jose Ramos, President, WAPA TV; Chris Fenger, President, Bright House Networks Central Florida Division; WAPA TV personalities Maricarmen Aviles & Sunshine Logrono.
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Boys and Girls Club Kids Say “Thank You” To Bright House Service Technicians
Children at the Boys and Girls Club in Pine Hills recently hosted an appreciation party for Bright House Networks broadband team members to thank them for providing free Internet service to Boys and Girls Clubs across Central Florida including the newly renovated Pine Hills branch.
Humbled and flattered Bright House Networks employees shared cake with the children and celebrated two recently rewired computer labs which are available to almost 200 kids at the facility each afternoon.
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Governor Crist Recognizes Bright House Networks Partnership In Rap Against Violence Campaign
Bright House Networks recently received the 2007 Governor’s Community Investment Special Recognition Award for the Rap Against Violence program. Both Bright House Networks and 102 JAMZ both received the award, and were nominated by State Attorney Norman Wolfinger, who originated the program. The contest resulted in more than 125 entries.
Ten winning rappers had their work turned into a CD that was distributed in Central Florida as part of Operation Cease-Fire, which seeks to reduce incidents of gun violence. The success of the program over the past two years also led to a National Beacon Award, the Cable TV Public Affairs industry’s highest award and which was presented to Bright House Networks this year.
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Left to right: Gov. Charlie Crist; Brian Craven, Bright House Networks, Director of Public Affairs and Communications; Keith Memoly of 102 JAMZ FM radio station in Orlando, and Walter A. McNeil, the former Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice (he has since been named Secretary of the Department of Corrections).
Brevard-Seminole State Attorney Norman Wolfinger was recognized by Bright House Networks for making the program possible. He was presented with his own copy of the 2008 Beacon Award by Bright House Networks Director-Public Affairs & Communications Brian Craven.
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Internet Safety: Teaching Your Children To Surf
Your children surf the Internet daily. It's a vast resource and can serve to support and enhance their learning experiences, like researching school science projects and book reports. In fact, the benefits are so numerous that the real dangers associated with Internet surfing are sometimes overlooked. To start the school year, Bright House Networks distributed useful training tools to all elementary and middle schools in our nine-county area to show parents and teachers how they can take charge and teach children to surf the Internet safely. Join other PTAs across Central Florida in teaching children about appropriate Internet use by presenting the following PowerPoint presentation at your school or posting it on your school's website. For help disseminating this information at your school, please send an email to sara.brady@mybrighthouse.com.
Internet Safety Rules
- Never give out your name, address, phone number, email address or other personal information to a stranger.
- Make sure to tell your parents right away if you come across information that makes you feel uncomfortable.
- Check with your parents before sending anyone a picture of yourself.
- If you receive instant messages or e-mails that are mean or make you feel uncomfortable, do not respond to them.
- Only give your Internet password to your parents - no one else.
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Bright Networks Hosts Kids At Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards Viewing Party
For the third year in a row, Bright House Networks joined Nickelodeon to sponsor a special viewing party for the annual Kid’s Choice Awards live program. Bright House arranged for more than 180 members of Orlando-area Boys & Girls Clubs to attend the special private viewing party at a local move theater. In addition to enjoying the show, the boys and girls had their picture taken with the SpongeBob Squarepants cartoon character.
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Left to Right: Bright House Networks Director Public Affairs & Communications Brian Craven and members of Orlando-area Boys & Girls Clubs meet SpongeBob Squarepants at the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards viewing party.
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Bright House Networks Supports Young Dancers Through Orlando Ballet’s After School S.T.E.P.S Program
Bright House Networks for three years has supported the Orlando Ballet Scholarship Training for the Enrichment of Primary Students or “STEPS” program, to contribute toward students’ exposure to the arts and specifically dance. At-risk students in the program most likely would have no other exposure to ballet without this program, created by the Orlando Ballet. The program has been credited with having a positive impact on students’ self esteem, discipline and an appreciation of the arts.
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