Public Encouraged To Donate Used Wireless Phones At May 20 FC Dallas Game

DALLAS, TX — FC Dallas fans have an opportunity to make a difference and receive a discounted ticket to this weekend's game. Verizon Wireless is encouraging the public to donate their used cell phones at the Saturday, May 20 game against the New England Revolution.

FC Dallas is joining forces with Verizon Wireless through the company's HopeLine® program to collect no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories to benefit local victims of domestic violence. Saturday's game takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Pizza Hut Park, and fans will receive a discounted ticket for any phone donated at the game.

The Family Violence unit of the City of Dallas Police Department reported 15,496 family violence offenses in the most recent reporting year. Eighty-four percent of Texans believe that they can make a difference in efforts to end domestic violence, according to the Texas Council on Family Violence. Verizon Wireless is proud to partner with FC Dallas to provide a simple way to make a difference in ending local domestic violence.

"A cell phone can serve as a lifeline for domestic violence victims in North Texas," said Luis Cruz, region president for Verizon Wireless. "Each person has an opportunity to make a difference in helping end domestic violence. The simple act of donating a used cell phone makes a tremendous impact."

The phone collection effort is part of Verizon Wireless' HopeLine wireless phone recycling program. HopeLine collects no-longer-used wireless phones to be refurbished, recycled or sold; proceeds are donated to domestic violence advocacy groups or used to purchase wireless phones with airtime for emergency use by victims. Since 2001, consumers have donated more than 3 million phones to HopeLine and more than 600,000 phones have been recycled.

Verizon Wireless has distributed nearly $10 million in cash and in-kind contributions to local domestic violence prevention and awareness programs across the country. In addition to benefiting victims of domestic violence, HopeLine provides an environmentally-friendly method for recycling used phones. All Verizon Wireless Communications stores nationwide participate in the HopeLine program. For store locations and additional information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 53 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, N.J., 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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