Holidays Create Surplus of Old Cell Phones; Recycle Them to Help Domestic Violence Victims

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TAMPA, FL — Wondering what to do with your old wireless phone now that you've received a new one as a holiday gift? Drop off your outdated phone at a Verizon Wireless store anywhere in Florida and help fight domestic violence through the company's HopeLineSM Phone Recycling Program. All phones collected will be refurbished, recycled or sold, and either phones or cash will be donated to non-profit domestic violence agencies in Florida.

In 2003, Verizon Wireless provided more than $100,000 in cash and services to local agencies such as Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, The Spring of Tampa Bay, Women In Distress of Broward County, SafeSpace of Miami, The Women's Fund, Hubbard House in Jacksonville and others. Phone recycling drives with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Publix Supermarkets and the Miami Dolphins helped generate HopeLine funds while keeping thousands of old phones out of Florida landfills.

"The HopeLine program is an easy way for community-minded citizens and businesses to help others in need," said Mike Lanman, Verizon Wireless Florida region president. "Phones that are recycled can do so much good for so many people, versus those that are just thrown away or forgotten in a drawer."

More than 120,000 cases of domestic violence are reported in Florida each year, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Even worse, the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimates that most incidents are never reported at all.

"Domestic violence knows no boundaries — everyone is affected," says Christine Thrower, president/CEO of Women In Distress. "Domestic violence makes our communities less safe, our businesses less profitable and puts millions of children at risk each year."

To donate a phone to the HopeLine program, visit any one of about 70 Verizon Wireless locations in the state. For a list of Verizon Wireless retail locations in Florida, visit www.verizonwireless.com.  

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 36 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 receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto www.thenewsmarket.com.  

About HopeLine
Verizon Wireless encourages customers who are upgrading their wireless phone to participate in its exclusive HopeLine phone recycling program. The national HopeLine program distributes previously owned wireless phones to victims of domestic violence, supports non-profit domestic violence advocacy groups and provides an environmentally safe method of recycling phones. Donations are accepted at all 1,200-plus Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country. For additional information, customers can also visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

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