Verizon Wireless Reminds Residents To Recycle Phones In New York State

ORANGEBURG, NY — Verizon Wireless, a recognized corporate leader in the fight against domestic violence, is reminding area residents to recycle their old, unused wireless phones to benefit victims of domestic violence. Recognizing October as "National Domestic Violence Awareness Month," the company hopes to increase public awareness and demonstrate its support to survivors.

"There's a quick and easy way to make a difference in the life of a victim," said Charles Hand, president of Verizon Wireless' New York Metro Region. "Community-minded citizens can support domestic violence organizations and survivors, by donating their old wireless phone to the HopeLine® program. It's easy, it's good for the environment, and you could very well help save someone's life."

Verizon Wireless created its HopeLine program 10 years ago to put the company's wireless products and services to work to help victims of domestic violence enhance their safety. The cornerstone of the program is the recycling of no-longer-used wireless phones, collected at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores throughout the New York Metro area. Phones are refurbished, recycled or sold and the proceeds are donated to domestic violence advocacy groups or used to purchase wireless phones for victims. Phones that cannot be refurbished are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

Hand stated, "Domestic violence does not discriminate. It's all around us in places most of us would never imagine. Citizens who support the program could very well be helping their own neighbors."

In addition to the successful phone recycling program, HopeLine includes funding for non-profit domestic violence organizations; free 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.

During the past three years, using funds generated by the HopeLine Phone Recycling Program, Verizon Wireless' New York Metro Region awarded nine HopeLine grants totaling $90,000 to domestic violence prevention groups to fund new or expanded programs, in addition to numerous phones and cash donations. The company also has pledged $100,000 over two years to support the New York City President's Family Justice Center, a new initiative that provides a range of services for victims under one roof.

As a result of HopeLine and related phone recycling programs the company has organized since 1995, Verizon Wireless has collected more than two million used wireless phones for the benefit of domestic violence victims and advocacy groups, including over 90,000 wireless handsets in the New York Metro area. Donations are accepted at all 73 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the New York Metro area. For store locations and additional information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline. 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 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.  

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