Gadsdem, Alabama, Residents Have More Wireless Options With New Verizon Wireless Store

GADSDEN, AL — Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, announces the opening of a new communications store in Gadsden. The new store, located at 204 Hood Avenue is open for business and will hold its official ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 19 at 10:00 a.m. The festivities will include a special appearance by Miss Alabama 2005, Alexa Jones, as well as remarks from Fred Sington, assistant to Mayor Steve Means; Janice Vella, membership manager of the Gadsden Chamber of Commerce; Shirley Cardwell, board member of Rose Haven Center for Domestic Violence; and Teri Pugh, district manager of Central Alabama for Verizon Wireless.

This opening marks the company's commitment to make wireless shopping more convenient for local residents. "We've experienced a growing demand for the company's voice and data products and services in this area," said Teri Pugh, District Manager for Verizon Wireless — Central Alabama. "This new location provides our Gadsden customers with increased convenience, access to our superior voice and data products and services and our knowledgeable sales staff."

Verizon Wireless named Gina Dawson as the manager of the new store. Dawson previously served as acting retail store manager for the company's Trussville Communications Store in Birmingham. In her new role as manager, Dawson will be responsible for customer service, retail sales, inventory, merchandising and employee training.

"I'm excited to launch my role as manager with the opening of our new Gadsden store," said Dawson. "We are dedicated to serving our customers here and I'm looking forward to continuing the company's commitment by providing our customers with the best wireless experience possible."

"Verizon Wireless invests over $1 billion in its network every 90 days," said Jim McGean, President — Alabama/Georgia Region, Verizon Wireless. "Because so many Alabama residents are choosing Verizon Wireless, we will continue to invest in our network in 2005 to best serve our consumer and business customers who rely on our network for wireless calls, text messages, e-mail and other data applications." Verizon Wireless has invested more than $150-million to date in 2005 in Alabama and Georgia.

As part of the store's ribbon cutting celebration, Verizon Wireless will present a $500 grant to Rose Haven Center for Domestic Violence. The grant is provided through HopeLine® — Verizon Wireless' exclusive nationwide phone recycling program that distributes previously owned wireless phones to victims of domestic violence, supports non-profit domestic violence advocacy groups and provides an environmentally safe method for recycling phones. No-longer-used phones are collected, and either recycled or sold for parts, with wireless phones and/or monetary donations benefiting domestic violence agencies and victims. Since 2001, the company has collected more than 2 million wireless phones nationwide and donated more than $3.7 million in monetary and other contributions to domestic violence shelters and advocacy groups.

Verizon Wireless will celebrate its ribbon cutting all week with exciting in-store events. Miss Alabama will attend the ribbon cutting and sign autographs on Wednesday, October 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In addition, the Gadsden Humane Society will hold an Adopt-a- Pet drive at the store from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19 and Saturday, October 22. The excitement will continue as Verizon Wireless hosts a cheerleading competition between Gadsden High School and Etowah County High School on Thursday, October 20 at 5:00 p.m. The Showsteelers, the Birmingham Steeldogs' dance team, will judge the competition. Verizon Wireless will give the winning squad $102.00. Last, but not least, the store will host a free fingerprinting session for children in conjunction with the Gadsden Police Department on Saturday, October 22, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to the store to create a permanent record on file of their prints. These records have proven to save lives in the case of lost or kidnapped children.

The Gadsden store is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The telephone number is 256-546-2351. Verizon Wireless Communications Stores offer a premier line of digital wireless phones in all price ranges, data services and accessories. The Gadsden Communications Store is one of more than 20 Verizon Wireless retail locations in Alabama.

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
2005 marks the 10 year anniversary of the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program, which puts wireless products and services to work to combat domestic violence. Today, HopeLine 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 also provides victims with essential communication tools — wireless phones and wireless services, including voicemail and pre-paid wireless minutes. Donations are accepted at all 1, 900-plus Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country. For additional information, customers can visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

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