BELL ATLANTIC NYNEX MOBILE TO PRESENT DONATION TO FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION FUND

BEDMINSTER, NJ — In recognition of the company's first anniversary, and as part of its continuing commitment to assist victims of domestic violence, Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile today announced the presentation of a $10,000 donation to the Family Violence Prevention Fund, one of the nation's leading organizations working to improve the health, judicial, and public policy responses to domestic violence. The $10,000 was originally set aside to pay for a breakfast celebrating the company's anniversary, but employees chose to donate the funds instead.

The donated monies will be used to support the Fund's continuing national public education campaign, There's No Excuse for Domestic Violence, including expenses for maintenance of its toll-free Action line - 1-800-END-ABUSE - and the development of future campaign materials. The campaign, first introduced in July 1994, is the first-ever national public education initiative designed to prevent and reduce domestic violence.

"Throughout our first, very successful full year, Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile has expanded its commitment to the customers and communities we serve, particularly as it relates to helping victims of domestic violence," said Dennis Strigl, President and CEO of Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile. "The donation we're making is an important next step in investing the resources of our success to improve the quality of life of our customers, our neighbors, and our employees."

"Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile has taken a significant leadership position in support of battered women and their children," said Family Violence Prevention Fund Executive Director Esta Soler. "Domestic violence advocates cannot solve this problem alone. Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile has stepped up to the plate to help us send the uncompromising message to the world that there is never an excuse for violence."

Since its creation in July 1995, Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile has dedicated numerous resources to assisting victims of domestic violence. Earlier this year, the company launched "Wireless at Work...," a national umbrella program which uses Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile's products and technologies to develop creative solutions for some of society's most serious problems. Among these is HopeLine, an initiative providing battered women and homeless individuals throughout the East Coast with free access to voice mail boxes, offering them an effective, confidential way to search for housing, jobs, and other necessary services.

There's No Excuse for Domestic Violence consists of a series of powerful public service announcements, both print and broadcast, designed to encourage friends, family members, and concerned citizens to get involved in stopping domestic violence and to offer assistance to its victims. By contacting the national 800 number included in all the campaign's PSAs, callers may receive a free copy of Take Action, a guide to simple, safe, effective actions that can help battered women and their children.

For more information on "Wireless at Work...," organizations may contact Andrea Linskey at 908/306-7845. For more information on the Family Violence Prevention Fund, or to order materials from the There's No Excuse for Domestic Violence campaign, please contact Marissa Ghez at 415/252-8900.

Founded in 1980 and headquartered in San Francisco, CA, the Family Violence Prevention Fund is the leading national organization working to develop innovative responses to the epidemic of domestic violence. The Fund's model programs and policies have been replicated in more than 40 states and seven foreign countries. In its hometown of San Francisco, the Fund created the Family Violence Project, which provides direct support to thousands of victims of domestic violence every year.

Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is the largest wireless service provider on the East Coast and the second largest provider in the United States. The company offers a full range of wireless voice, data, and paging communications solutions to its more than 3.5 million customers in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and, through a separate subsidiary, in the Southwest. The company was formed in July 1995, through the combination of Bell Atlantic Mobile's and NYNEX Mobile's cellular operations. The company has more than 5,000 employees.

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