Verizon Wireless Opens First Communications Store in Bloomington, Illinois

BLOOMINGTON, IL — In response to the growing demand for the company's voice and data products and services, Verizon Wireless opened its first Communications Store in early October in Bloomington, Ill., at 504 IAA Drive.

"Our customer base is expanding in central Illinois," said Tracy Nolan, president—Illinois/Wisconsin Region, Verizon Wireless. "The opening of our first store in Bloomington vastly improves our ability to meet the needs of local residents.

"With this new store," said Nolan, "we can offer customers in the community the very latest wireless communications technology in a modern, well-equipped, customer-friendly environment. Our Bloomington sales team will deliver a high level of customer support and a broad range of equipment and service plans to suit every need, all backed by our Worry Free Guarantee®."

The new store features a variety of wireless services for customers including TXT and Picture Messaging and Get It Now® applications including downloadable ringtones and games, and high-speed wireless Internet connections with Verizon Wireless NationalAccess network.

Wire-Cutting Ceremony Featured Donation, Call to Donate Old Wireless Phones

To mark the official grand opening, a wire-cutting ceremony was held on October 28 at the new Verizon Wireless Communications Store. The ceremony included a check presentation in the amount of $1,500 to Mid Central Community Action, Inc., in honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Carolyn Schamberger, public relations manager of Verizon Wireless' Illinois/Wisconsin Region, presented the check to John Burrill, executive director of Mid Central Community Action, Inc. The dollars will help fund the agency's domestic violence prevention and victim support programs.

Several prominent members of the Bloomington area were present at the wire-cutting ceremony, including Mayor Judy Markowitz and representatives from the McLean County Chamber of Commerce.

During the ceremony, Verizon Wireless asked residents of Bloomington to bring their no-longer-used wireless phones to the store to donate to the company's award-winning HopeLineSM program. Through HopeLine, 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; then the company uses the proceeds to purchase newer wireless phones for domestic violence survivors and to support domestic violence shelters and organizations. The remaining phones are recycled in an environmentally friendly way.

"Domestic violence devastates neighbors, friends and co-workers in all communities-including Bloomington," said Schamberger. "That's why Verizon Wireless made this donation to Mid Central Community Action today and why we encourage Bloomington residents to donate phones they no longer use to HopeLine. By doing so, they truly will provide a lifeline to someone in their community."

Jon Peel is the manager of the new store, which will be open from 9 a.m.—8 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.—6 p.m., Saturday; and noon—5 p.m., Sunday.

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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