Verizon Wireless To Match Funds Raised During The Julian Center's Valentine's Day Challenge

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Verizon Wireless announced today it will match up to $10,000 in donations made to The Julian Center this Valentine season. The Center is asking the community to celebrate Valentine's Day by thinking beyond traditional gifts of chocolates, roses and spa days and making donations to the nonprofit organization in honor of that special person.

All donations will go toward supporting The Julian Center's most vital services, which include counseling, safe shelter and educational services for survivors of abuse and assault. Each honoree will receive notification from The Center that a donation has been made in his/her name.

"This matching-fund challenge is a way not only to celebrate that special person in your life, but to benefit domestic abuse survivors in Indiana," said Michelle Gilbert, spokesperson for Verizon Wireless. "We are participating in this initiative to benefit these survivors and because we also want to give Hoosiers a unique and meaningful way to become involved in their community."

To kick off the challenge, two local prominent women today recognized someone special in their lives. They are: Debbie Knox, anchor at WISH-TV, and Lisa Holsclaw, president of The Kroger Company's Central Marketing Area.

"One of our key areas of focus in the community is to support the needs of children, primarily their health and education," said Lisa Holsclaw, president of The Kroger Company's Central Division. "Phyllis Imel, retired principal of IPS School 46, is passionate about making a difference in the lives of at risk children and her work and leadership has been an inspiration to me over the years. The Julian Center has an innovative approach to assisting women and children who are vulnerable and in need. I am proud to make a donation in Phyllis Imel's name in recognition of her impact on my life and the lives of so many children."

According to Commonwealth Fund Survey, nearly one-third of American women (31 percent) report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. The days following when a woman leaves her abuser are the most dangerous for her. The likelihood that a domestic violence victim will be killed by her abuser significantly increases during this period.

The gift of a Valentine's Day donation to The Julian Center can go a long way for these survivors. For example:

• The $75 spent to buy a dozen roses could pay for counseling for an entire family.
• The $23 spent on a box of chocolates could provide a family of four breakfast, lunch and dinner at the shelter.
• The $230 on a spa day could enable four women to receive a month's worth of services to help achieve self-sufficiency and safe transitional or permanent housing.

"These donations are significant in the lives of women who, because of a gift, will be able to recapture their self-esteem and confidence through counseling and educational support services," said Ann M. DeLaney, executive director of the Center, which serves 1,100 women and children a year in central Indiana. "Think about someone who has touched your life in memorable ways. Honor that person and make a difference in the community at the same time."

Business and individual donors can send their contributions payable to: The Julian Center, 2011 North Meridian St., Indianapolis, Ind., 46202.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 43.8 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 on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia. 

About The Julian Center
The Julian Center is a nonprofit, United Way agency that provides shelter, counseling, education and comprehensive advocacy services for women and children who are victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and sexual assault. Founded in 1975, it has expanded its overall counseling services to include trauma therapy related to issues of abuse and violence against women. For more information on the Web, visit www.juliancenter.org or call 317-941-2200.

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