Holiday Shopping Means New Wireless Phones, and Donating Old Phones To Verizon Wireless HopeLine Program

BEDMINSTER, NJ — In the midst of the holiday shopping season, many wireless customers will find themselves purchasing a new wireless phone as a gift or upgrading their own phone for the New Year. New phones mean that customers will be left with old, de-activated phones that they'll no longer use. Rather than simply throwing away old wireless phones, Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, encourages wireless customers to donate their old phones to its HopeLine^SM program, which recycles and refurbishes them to help victims of domestic violence.

When consumers get a new wireless phone, many hesitate to throw away their old phone, which typically finds its way into closets, basements, garages, boxes and "junk drawers" around the house. Before heading out to the malls and stores, holiday shoppers should take a moment to search these spots for an old wireless phone and donate it to HopeLine.

And for consumers who receive a new phone as a holiday gift, resist the temptation to just toss the old phone in a drawer (or in the trash), and instead donate it to HopeLine. Wireless phones and accessories from any carrier can be donated at any of the more than 1,200 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country, or be sent to:

Verizon Wireless HopeLine
c/o ReCellular Inc.
2555 Bishop Circle W.
Dexter, MI 48130

"The holidays mark that time of year when 'giving' is at its best," said Denny Strigl, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless. "Donating an old phone to HopeLine is an easy way to give a little, but can make a big difference both in helping save the lives of domestic violence victims, and in responsibly recycling phones you no longer use."

In 2004, consumers have donated more than 500,000 phones to HopeLine, and Verizon Wireless has provided financial support to domestic violence shelters and advocacy organizations across the country. For additional information about HopeLine, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

About HopeLine
The Verizon Wireless HopeLine program collects wireless phones and accessories from any wireless carrier and refurbishes or recycles them with proceeds benefiting victims of domestic violence. The environmentally friendly HopeLine Program puts wireless services and equipment to work to assist victims in emergency domestic violence situations. Donations are accepted at all 1,200-plus Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country. For additional information, customers can visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 42.1 million voice and data 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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