Verizon Wireless Donates Vital Communications To Carroll County New Hampshire's Starting Point

WOBURN, MA — Verizon Wireless today announced the donation of four HopeLineSM voice mailboxes to Conway, and Ossipee, NH-based Starting Point, a non-profit agency specializing in services for victims of domestic and sexual violence. The donated voice mailboxes will allow victims of domestic violence to give out a phone number to prospective employers, landlords, health care professionals, and family members so they can receive private messages with dignity as they begin the process of rebuilding their life away from an abusive situation.

The Verizon Wireless HopeLine Domestic Violence Program embraces a philosophy of commitment to the community and to the workplace. Through its HopeLine program, the company focuses primarily on putting wireless products and services to work to combat domestic violence. The company understands that domestic violence is an epidemic that devastates neighbors, friends and co-workers. As such, it dedicates its resources to both the prevention of domestic violence and the life rebuilding process.

Starting Point is a private agency that has provided services in Carroll County since 1981. Since then, it has grown to provide the county's only emergency shelter with a 24-hour crisis line: 800-336-3795, emergency shelter and transportation, court and hospital advocacy, peer support groups, and resources and referrals. Starting Point is a member of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, a statewide clearinghouse formed to provide technical and organizational direction to crisis centers throughout the state. The Coalition also works for legislative changes to aid victims of family violence and sexual assault.

"Since we work to provide safe haven and resources to victims of domestic and sexual violence, contributions we get from our corporate supporters are invaluable," said Julia Heemstra from Starting Point. "The HopeLine voice mailboxes provided by Verizon Wireless will give our clients the confidential security necessary as they work to restore their lives."

"We're dedicated to serving the New England communities in which we operate, said Bob Stott, president of the New England Region for Verizon Wireless. "We know that HopeLine can make a difference in the lives of the domestic violence victims and we are happy to provide the service."

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 30 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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