Verizon Wireless, The Green Bay Packers Team Up to Provide A HopeLine For Domestic Violence Victims in Wisconsin

GREEN BAY, WI — In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Verizon Wireless and the Green Bay Packers are teaming up to invite fans to help victims of domestic violence in the community.

On Monday, Oct. 11, 2004, prior to the nationally televised Monday Night Football Game, no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories will be collected for the Verizon Wireless HopeLine^SM program at all five Lambeau Field entrances. The phone drive will begin at 5:45 p.m. (gates open) and will last until game time.

Through its award-winning HopeLine program, Verizon Wireless collects no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories from any wireless service provider. Most of the phones and equipment are refurbished and sold; the company uses the proceeds to purchase newer wireless phones for domestic violence survivors and to support area domestic violence shelters and organizations, including those throughout Wisconsin. The remaining phones are recycled in an environmentally friendly way.

"We appreciate the Packers teaming up with us on this very important initiative," said Tracy Nolan, president-Wisconsin/Illinois Region, Verizon Wireless. "Packers fans are the best in the league and I know they will want to help make a difference by bringing their phones on October 11. They truly can help provide a lifeline to victims of domestic violence, an epidemic affecting more than 30 percent of American women during their lifetimes."

As the official wireless provider of the Green Bay Packers and Lambeau Field, Verizon Wireless has joined forces with the Packers on another initiative, called "Protection is the Name of the Game," to support domestic violence prevention and awareness. With this program, Verizon Wireless is donating $25 for every point the Packers score this season to a domestic violence shelter, organization, or program in Wisconsin, with a different advocacy group designated for each game.

Fans not able to attend Monday night's game can still participate in the drive by donating their no-longer-used phones to any Verizon Wireless store at any time. To find the store closest to you 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 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.

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