Morris County, New Jersey, Residents Urged to Recycle Old Cell Phones to Aid Victims of Domestic Violence

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Wondering what to do with those no-longer-used wireless phones cluttering closets and desk drawers at home or in the office? Drop them off at a Verizon Wireless Communications Store or your local police department in Morris County through November 30th and help Jersey Battered Women's Service provide life-saving services to victims of domestic violence and their families. All phones collected will be recycled or sold through the Verizon Wireless HopeLine® Phone Recycling Program and a donation will be made to Jersey Battered Women's Service, Inc. All wireless phone models from any carrier will be accepted.

Wireless phones may be dropped off at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores located at 399 Rte. 10 East in East Hanover, 275 Rte. 10 East in Succasunna, and in Rockaway at 321 Mount Hope Road or in the Rockaway Townsquare Mall. In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, phones also will be accepted at police departments throughout the Morris County through November 30, 2005. Local collection efforts are being led by domestic violence Crisis Response Team (CRT) volunteers in each municipality.

"Many of us have old cell phones or know of people who have obsolete phones collecting dust in closets and cabinets," said Mary Baughman, executive director for Jersey Battered Women's Services. "Each phone donated to the Verizon Wireless HopeLine Program will generate much needed support for victims of domestic violence. We applaud Verizon Wireless and hope our community responds to this great program."

For every wireless phone collected during the drive, Verizon Wireless will donate $5 to Jersey Battered Women's Service with a total contribution not to exceed $2,500.

"The HopeLine Phone Recycling Program is an easy way for community-minded citizens to support local domestic violence organizations as they help abused women re-build their lives," said Charles Hand, president of Verizon Wireless' New York Metro Region. "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 friends or neighbors."

In addition to the successful phone recycling program, HopeLine includes free 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.

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. As a result of HopeLine and related phone recycling programs the company has organized since 1995, Verizon Wireless has collected more than 2.5 million used wireless phones for the benefit of domestic violence victims and advocacy groups. Donations are accepted year-round at all 73 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the New York Metro area. For store locations and additional information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. 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.

About Jersey Battered Women's Service, Inc.
Since 1976, Jersey Battered Women's Service, Inc.(JBSW), a private, non-profit agency located in Morris County, NJ, has provided valuable life-saving services to victims of domestic violence and their families. The JBWS mission is to prevent domestic violence through the protection and empowerment of the victim, to rehabilitate family members and to educate the public about domestic violence and its consequences.. JBWS provides a 24-hour helpline, emergency shelter for victims and their children, and a wide range of counseling and legal services.

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