Verizon Wireless Launches National Phone Recycling Initiative to Benefit Victims of Domestic Violence

BEDMINSTER, NJ — For anyone who has wondered how to put their old, unused wireless phone to good use, the answer is as close as their nearest Verizon Wireless Communications Store. On October 30, 2001, Verizon Wireless will launch nationally HopeLine^SM, a phone recycling program exclusive to the company that directly benefits victims of domestic violence.

Specifically, the company will collect previously-owned wireless handsets to be refurbished, recycled and/or sold. Proceeds will then be donated to non-profit domestic violence advocacy organizations and used to purchase handsets for victims.

This program, conducted in Verizon Wireless' 1200-plus Communications Stores across the country and on the company's Web site, offers a convenient way for customers of any carrier to join in with Verizon Wireless in helping to support domestic violence prevention efforts. According to a 1998 Commonwealth Fund survey, nearly one-third of American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives.

While Verizon Wireless , a recognized corporate leader in the fight against domestic violence, has long collected and recycled phones for domestic violence on a local level, this program is a first-of-its-kind in that it is on-going and national in scope.

This summer, Verizon Wireless conducted a 10-week trial of HopeLine in Georgia and on the company's Web site, collecting more than 8,000 phones. This resulted in thousands of phones and dollars that the company will donate to domestic violence organizations. Given the success of the trial program, Verizon Wireless officials are optimistic about the impact the program could have for raising dollars and buying phones for domestic violence causes next year. "We are proud to stand behind our long tradition of helping domestic violence victims as part of our commitment to the community," said Denny Strigl, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless. "Verizon Wireless' business is built on helping people communicate. For domestic violence victims who are trying to safeguard themselves against an abuser, communication takes on even greater significance. With a wireless phone in hand, victims have a vital link to emergency services in times of crisis."

Wireless phones and equipment donations are tax deductible and can be sent to:

HopeLine Program
c/o Verizon Wireless
1776 East Ellsworth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48108

For more information about HopeLine, customers can call 1-800-426-2790 between the hours of 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM EST Monday through Saturday, and between 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST on Sunday. Customers can also visit the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com/jsp/aboutus/wireless_issues/phone_recycling.jsp. As part of its HopeLine program, Verizon Wireless also makes financial grants to regional and national domestic violence organizations, such as the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and other select community interest groups.

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About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with more than 28.7 million wireless voice and data customers. The coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD), including Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, GTE Wireless and PrimeCo Personal Communications. Verizon Wireless has a footprint covering more than 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 97 of the top 100 U.S. markets. The company, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 40,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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