Verizon Wireless Makes Donation To YWCA Omaha Women Against Violence Program

OMAHA, NE — Verizon Wireless announced today a donation of $5,625 through the company's HopeLine^SM program to the YWCA Omaha Women Against Violence Program. The donation is based on a challenge to the public to donate their used wireless phones during October, which was Domestic Violence Awareness month. As a result of the drive, a total of 1,125 phones were collected, and Verizon Wireless is donating five dollars for each phone.

"The Verizon Wireless cash donation will aid the YWCA Omaha 'Help Fund,' which provides emergency services for domestic violence victims and their children," said Peg Harriott, executive director of the YWCA Omaha. "Verizon Wireless will help save lives with this program."

During the October phone collection drive, the Verizon Wireless Communications Stores collected 425 phones and the YWCA collected 700 during their Week Without Violence and other October initiatives.

"Verizon Wireless is dedicated to domestic violence awareness and prevention," said Kris Train, District Manager for Retail Sales in Omaha. "We would like to thank all of the individuals who donated phones during the October drive to benefit YWCA Omaha programs that combat domestic violence."

Through HopeLine and related phone recycling programs Verizon Wireless, since 1995, has collected more than 879,000 used wireless phones that benefit domestic violence victims and advocacy groups. Since the HopeLine program launched nationwide in October 2001, the company has collected more than 409,000 phones.

Verizon Wireless collects used wireless phones and equipment for the HopeLine phone recycling program and refurbishes or sells them, with all proceeds benefiting victims of domestic violence. Phones from any wireless carrier are accepted. A recent survey conducted by Verizon Wireless to its benefiting organizations found that 37% of victims used the donated phone to call for public safety assistance. In the survey, benefiting organizations across the country also stressed the importance of these phones to the victims.

For more information about Verizon Wireless' domestic violence awareness efforts or to find out how to donate phones, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline. Phone collections are accepted year-round at the Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the Omaha area, located at 72nd and Dodge Street, 132nd and Center Street and at West Roads Mall, Oakdale Mall and Mall of the Bluffs. Phones are also being collected at the YWCA Omaha at 222 S. 29th Street.

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.

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