Verizon Wireless Contributes to C.U.R.R.V.

ANDERSON, S.C. — At a conference held today by the Coalition for the Understanding and Reduction of Relationship Violence (C.U.R.R.V.), Verizon Wireless made a monetary contribution to the organization to kick off fund-raising efforts for a domestic violence shelter in Anderson County.

The contribution was made as part of Verizon Wireless' activities for October's Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The contribution will be applied towards renovation expenses for a domestic violence shelter. For nearly two years, the county has been without a shelter for families affected by domestic violence.

"C.U.R.R.V. is thrilled to have received its first monetary contribution towards the opening of a domestic violence shelter in Anderson County," said Cherry Causey, a member of C.U.R.R.V. "We are hopeful that others in the community will follow Verizon Wireless' lead. Only continued generosity will enable us to care for our neighbors who have fallen victim to domestic violence."

"Verizon Wireless understands that domestic violence is an epidemic that devastates communities," said Jerry Fountain, Verizon Wireless' regional president - Carolinas. "That is why we are proud to dedicate resources to C.U.R.R.V. and other organizations that focus their efforts on the process of rebuilding lives."

The contribution complements the company's "Wireless at Work" community service program. Since 1995, Verizon Wireless, formerly Bell Atlantic Mobile, has donated more than 450 phones and airtime and 600 HopeLine® voice mail boxes in the Carolinas Region. These phones and voice mail boxes aid victims of domestic violence and are used by homeless shelters and neighborhood watch programs.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with 26.3 million wireless voice and data customers and 3.5 million paging customers. The new coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Bell Atlantic Corp. and GTE Corp - now Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) -- and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). The new company includes the assets of Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, GTE Wireless, PrimeCo Personal Communications and AirTouch Paging. The company has a footprint covering nearly 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 96 of the top 100 U.S. markets. Verizon Wireless, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 32,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company in its Media Center on the Web at: http://www.verizonwireless.com/mediacenter/index.shtml

About C.U.R.R.V.

The Coalition for the Understanding and Reduction of Relationship Violence, known as C.U.R.R.V., was established in 1995 by a group of Anderson County-area service agency representatives that identified a need to enhance services to victims and families of relationship violence. The organization promotes community action addressing relationship violence; establishes a network to assist victims and their families; and educates the community on the prevalence of relationship violence.

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