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

LOS ANGELES, CA — For anyone who has wondered how to put their old, used wireless phone to good use, now the answer is as close as their nearest Verizon Wireless Communications Store and HopeLine^SM, Verizon Wireless' exclusive, national phone recycling program that directly benefits victims of domestic violence.

California State Assembly Member Tony Cardenas, City Council Member Alex Padilla, the Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women, Verizon Wireless and other partners gathered last Thursday at Los Angeles City Hall to roll out a comprehensive, domestic violence prevention and awareness campaign in the Greater Los Angeles Area. The campaign announcement included the official launch of HopeLine in Southern California.

Through HopeLine, Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless provider, will collect previously owned wireless handsets year-round to be refurbished, recycled and/or sold. Proceeds will be donated to non-profit organizations that address domestic violence or used to purchase handsets for victims. According to the California Criminal Justice Statistics Center, there were nearly 61,000 domestic violence calls placed to authorities in Los Angeles County alone last year.

This program, conducted nationwide, and in the more than 70 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in Southern California, offers a convenient way for customers of any carrier to donate old phones, batteries and accessories to help support domestic violence prevention efforts. The wireless phones and equipment donations are tax deductible.

During October, nationally recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Verizon Wireless retail stores collected more than 200 used wireless phones in Southern California, which will now be used to support HopeLine. Given the success of the October collection drive, Verizon Wireless officials are optimistic about the impact the program could have for raising funds and buying phones for domestic violence causes next year.

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.

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 and GTE Wireless. 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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