Verizon Wireless and the University of New Mexico Team Up to Call a Timeout on Domestic Violence

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ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Verizon Wireless and the University of New Mexico are teaming up to raise awareness of, and curb the epidemic of domestic violence through a Public Service Announcement (PSA) featuring Lobos head men's basketball coach Ritchie McKay.

With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the University of New Mexico will debut the PSA on Lobovision before and during the BYU football game on Oct. 8, and will run the announcement at all home football games through the end of November.

Albuquerque-based Vista Media Productions donated the filming, production and editing of the Public Service Announcement.

"We are extremely supportive, and join with Verizon Wireless in the effort to heighten awareness about the growing concerns of domestic violence," said McKay. "The more attention we can bring to this national epidemic the better. We're privileged to be a participant."

"As a sponsor of the University of New Mexico Athletics, Verizon Wireless is proud to team up with Coach McKay and the Lobos to help us provide a HopeLine to victims of domestic violence," said Tami Erwin, regional president for Verizon Wireless. "Together, we can help curb an epidemic that affects one in every three American women during their lifetime."

Verizon Wireless' national HopeLine® recycling program — currently in its 10th year — collects wireless phones and accessories then refurbishes the phones for sale by a third party or recycles them in an environmentally friendly way. Proceeds from the HopeLine program benefit victims of domestic violence and non-profit advocacy agencies, providing essential communication tools in the form of wireless phones and wireless services, and financial grants. Verizon Wireless is awarding HopeLine grants to the following New Mexico domestic violence agencies: S.A.F.E. House (Albuquerque), Enlace Comunitario (Albuquerque) and La Casa (Las Cruces).

Fans attending the Lobos men's basketball game against the University of Texas at El Paso on Saturday, Nov. 26, are invited to donate used wireless phones and accessories to benefit victims of domestic violence through the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program. HopeLine drop boxes will be located at the northeast entrance to The Pit.

Additionally, no-longer-used wireless phones can be donated to HopeLine throughout the year at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store in New Mexico or across the country.

For more information on HopeLine or how to donate a no-longer-used wireless phone, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

*Editor's Note: Members of the media are invited to download a broadcast-quality copy of the PSA at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 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 preview and request 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.

About HopeLine
Verizon Wireless encourages customers who are upgrading their wireless phone to participate in its exclusive HopeLine phone-recycling program. The national HopeLine program distributes previously owned wireless phones to victims of domestic violence, supports non-profit domestic violence advocacy groups and provides an environmentally safe method of recycling phones. Donations are accepted at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store across the country. For additional information, customers can also visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

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