Recycle Cell Phones at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in Bergen County, New Jersey

HACKENSACK, NJ — Wondering what to do with those no longer used wireless phones cluttering closets and desk drawers at home or in the office? Drop them off at a Verizon Wireless Communications Store in Bergen County through October and help fight domestic violence through the company's HopeLine ^{Phone Recycling Program. All phones collected will be recycled or sold and a donation will be made to the Bergen Family Center. All wireless phone models from any carrier will be accepted.}

Wireless phones may be dropped off at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores located in Paramus at 469 Route 17 South, 341 Route 4 West, and the Garden State Plaza. The drive will run through October 31, 2004.

"Many of us have old cell phones or know of people who have obsolete phones they no longer use," said Mitchell Schonfeld, president of the center. "Verizon Wireless' donation will help support the services we provide for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, including support groups for abuse survivors. We applaud Verizon Wireless and hope our community responds to this great program."

For every old wireless phone collected during the drive, Verizon Wireless will donate $5 to the Bergen Family Center with a total contribution not to exceed $2,500.

"The HopeLine Phone Recycling program is an easy way for community-minded citizens to support local domestic violence organizations as they help abused women re-build their lives," said Charles Hand, president of Verizon Wireless' New York Metro Region. "Domestic violence does not discriminate. It's all around us in places most of us would never imagine. Citizens who support the program could very well be helping their own friends or neighbors."

Since the inception of the company's HopeLine community service program in 1995, Verizon Wireless has donated and recycled more than 90,000 wireless phones in the New York Metro area, providing essential communication tools to people who need a vital, reliable link to emergency services in times of crisis. Two million used wireless phones have been collected and recycled nationwide for the benefit of domestic violence victims and advocacy groups. Donations are accepted at all 71 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the New York Metro area. All wireless phone models, batteries and chargers from any carrier are accepted. For additional information, visit 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 40.4 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/verizonwireless.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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