Wireless Phones Help Protect Victims of Domestic Violence in Queens, New York

QUEENS, NY — Continuing its commitment to domestic violence prevention and awareness, Verizon Wireless recently donated 25 wireless phones and airtime to the Queens District Attorney's Office to aid victims of domestic violence.

The donation was made possible through the company's HopeLine® Phone Recycling Program. No longer used wireless phones collected through the HopeLine recycling program are refurbished, recycled or sold. Phones that cannot be refurbished are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. Proceeds are donated to domestic violence advocacy groups or used to purchase new phones for victims.

The Queens District Attorney's Office will lend the phones to women at risk to call for help in an emergency and to help them in the process of rebuilding their lives. Domestic violence prevention and education is Verizon Wireless' chief community focus. "No offense shakes individual security more than violence in the home," said Charles Hand, president of Verizon Wireless' New York Metro Region. "At Verizon Wireless, we continue to be humbled by the strength of domestic violence survivors and proud to provide them with resources that can help them rebuild their lives."

Verizon Wireless created its HopeLine program 10 years ago to put wireless products and services to work to help victims of domestic violence enhance their safety. In addition to the program's successful phone recycling program, HopeLine includes funding for non-profit domestic violence organizations; wireless phones, service and voice mailboxes for victims; community and corporate awareness initiatives; and a bilingual "Invest In Yourself" program designed to help survivors re-enter the workforce. For additional information, visit the HopeLine Web site at www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 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 and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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