Rockland, New York's Recycled Cell Phones Help Victims of Domestic Violence

ORANGEBURG, NY — The Rockland Family Shelter today received 15 wireless phones and service from Verizon Wireless to provide emergency communication for victims of domestic violence. The donation was made possible through the efforts of the Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority and the company's HopeLinesm Phone Recycling Program. During the past two years, the Rockland Solid Waste Management Authority has collected approximately 1,500 phones from residents through the county's household hazardous waste and electronics collection program. The innovative program, the first in the New York Metro area, provides a way for residents to dispose of no-longer-used wireless phones in an environmentally-friendly way, and, at the same time, help victims of domestic violence.

The phones are donated to the Verizon Wireless HopeLine^SM Phone Recycling Program which collects wireless phones to be recycled or sold. Proceeds are then donated to domestic violence advocacy groups or used to purchase phones for victims. Phones that are collected and cannot be refurbished are disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner.

"This has been a win-win situation for everyone involved," said Christopher P. St. Lawrence, chairman, Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority. "Including cell phones in the mix of materials we accept makes it convenient for residents to dispose of them responsibly. Also, by donating no-longer-used phones to the HopeLine program, we can help make the Earth greener and directly help victims of domestic violence."

The Rockland Family Shelter will distribute the phones received today to domestic violence victims to enable them to call for help in threatening situations. The phones will enable women to take their children to school and go about their daily lives knowing they can contact police in an emergency.

"Through its HopeLine program, Verizon Wireless has been a generous benefactor to Rockland Family Shelter," said Carolyn Fish, executive director, Rockland Family Shelter. "We appreciate the company's support and role as a corporate voice in the fight against domestic violence."

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 link to emergency services in times of crisis. More than 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.

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