Donation To Genesis Women's Shelter Kicks Off Grand Opening Of New Verizon Wireless Store In Dallas

DALLAS, TX — Community ties highlight the grand opening of Verizon Wireless' newest state-of-the-art Communications Store located in Dallas. Area shoppers will find the ultimate in conveniences and services at the new store located at 6417 Hillcrest Road. This new 2,200 square foot store brings the total number of Verizon Wireless Communications Stores to 32 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Verizon Wireless, known for its corporate leadership in the fight to end domestic violence, will donate $1,000 to Genesis Women's Shelter at the store's ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce at Noon on Friday, March 23. Cindy Patterson, regional president for Verizon Wireless in Texas will present the $1,000 donation to Pat Prestidge, director of outreach for Genesis Women's Shelter.

"Genesis Women's Shelter is excited to join with Verizon Wireless on many levels in the fight to end domestic violence. Verizon's efforts are assisting Genesis in providing safety, shelter, counseling, and the opportunity to live a life without fear. Communication to family and friends is not always available to victims of domestic violence, but Verizon is helping Genesis be that link to safety," said Pat Prestidge, director of outreach for Genesis Women's Shelter.

The new Communications Store features a variety of products and services, including a new rate plan that offers low-cost weekend and national calling as well as expanded coverage to customers in Texas. The Preferred Plan ^SM includes Verizon Wireless' local footprint plus the company's nationwide network. This plan allows Verizon Wireless customers to call from anywhere on the Verizon Wireless nationwide digital network to anywhere in the nation without incurring any roaming charges. Nationwide long-distance is included. For a limited time and with a two-year service agreement, Verizon Wireless is offering 1,000 free Nights & Weekend minutes for 12 months on Preferred Plans of 400 minutes or above. With purchase and activation, customers will receive a free Lone Star Trackpack from Lone Star Park racetrack.

"We are giving our customers unsurpassed nationwide coverage at the cost they would expect to pay for local coverage," Patterson said. "We offer the largest wireless network in the nation, along with simple, national and affordable rates. Our customer base is rapidly expanding in the North Texas region and our new Hillcrest store will provide customers with increased convenience and accessibility to our products and services."

Grand Opening festivities at the store include an autograph session with two of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, March 24. A child's petting zoo will be at the new location from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 24. Red E. Fox^" of the 9-1-1 for Kids educational program will make a personal appearance from 10 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, March 23 and from Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday. He is a heroic, friendly spokescharacter created to make learning about 9-1-1 fun and memorable for young children.

Two different radio stations will be doing special promotions at the store, including KDMX 102.9 FM from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday and KHKS 106.1 FM from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Patrons can register to win a trip for two to the 127th Kentucky Derby courtesy of Lone Star Park, or a Palm™ V handheld and connectivity kit courtesy of Kyocera.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with 27.5 million wireless voice and data 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 38,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

####