Verizon Wireless Awards $6,550 Grant To King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence

SEATTLE, WA — Verizon Wireless, a recognized leader for its domestic violence awareness and prevention initiatives has awarded a $6,550 grant to the King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a non-profit organization that provides leadership on behalf of community-based victim service agencies and their allies through county-wide public policy and education efforts. The grant, which was awarded last night at the "Take Action Against Domestic Violence" awards reception hosted by the Coalition and the University of Washington Women's Center, is funded by Verizon Wireless' HopeLineSM program, an ongoing nationwide initiative that supports efforts of agencies to aid victims in rebuilding their lives.

Through HopeLine, and the company's predecessor phone recycling programs, Verizon Wireless has collected more than 790,000 used wireless phones to benefit domestic violence victims and advocacy groups since 1995. Today, Verizon Wireless stores throughout the country, including the company's King County retail locations, welcome donations of no longer used wireless phones, year-round.

Verizon Wireless refurbishes, recycles and/or sells collected phones for parts, using the proceeds to provide grants and phones to domestic violence shelters to aid victims. The company also donates voice mailboxes to shelters so women have a discreet way to receive messages from potential landlords, employers and family members.

In addition, Verizon Wireless provides a direct connection to victims seeking help. By dialing #HOPE from a Verizon Wireless phone on the carrier's nationwide network, victims will get an immediate connection to the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) and a step towards safety and independence. The call is toll and airtime free.

The Coalition will use Verizon Wireless' HopeLine grant to develop promotional materials aimed at increasing community awareness about domestic violence throughout King County. The program materials will be distributed by domestic violence service provider agencies in their communities, as a part of the Coalition's "Take Action Against Domestic Violence" education campaign.

"Domestic violence is a community issue and we share the Coalition's vision that all of us are responsible for breaking the generational cycle of violence," said Verizon Wireless Region President Kelley Kurtzman. "We want to help make victims safer at home, at work and in our communities. That is why we are pleased to recognize the leadership of the King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence and award a $6,550 HopeLine grant to the Coalition to expand the impact of their Take Action Against Domestic Violence" education campaign."

Verizon Wireless encourages customers who are upgrading their wireless phones, or changing carriers, to participate in its exclusive HopeLine phone-recycling program. Phones that cannot be salvaged are scrapped are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. Wireless phones and equipment donations not dropped off at a Verizon Wireless store may 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. Tax receipts are available. Customers can also visit the Web at www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

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 31.5 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 www.verizonwireless.com.

To update your profile or remove yourself from automatic News Delivery, please visit the Verizon Wireless Customized News Service Center.

####