This Father's Day, Verizon Wireless Encourages Men to Take a Stand Against Domestic Violence

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Domestic violence is not just a women's issue and this Father's Day, in recognition of the difference men can play in stopping abuse before it starts, HopeLine®, Verizon Wireless' corporate domestic violence prevention program, announces a donation of $25,000 to the Family Violence Prevention Fund's Founding Fathers (FVPF) initiative.

Verizon Wireless is proud to be a national sponsor of the Founding Fathers initiative. Bringing together prominent men from all walks of life, the "new founding fathers" pledge themselves to do all they can to stop violence against women and children. This is the third consecutive year Verizon Wireless has been a national sponsor of the Founding Fathers initiative.

"Domestic violence is an issue that affects men, women and children and we are proud to continue our support of the Founding Fathers initiative and its important message that men can make a difference," said Denny Strigl, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless. "We need to engage men and boys to take action against violence before it starts and Father's Day is the perfect time to think about what these men can do to help end the cycle of violence."

The Founding Fathers initiative challenges men not with blame, but with hope and the opportunity to be a part of the solution to end violence. The campaign builds upon the Family Violence Prevention Fund's efforts to end violence against women and children by engaging men and funding additional programs to prevent violence. More information about the Founding Fathers initiative is on the web at www.founding-fathers.org.

"The Family Violence Prevention Fund is grateful to Verizon Wireless for its continued support of this important program. Under the leadership of one of our Founding Fathers, Denny Strigl, Verizon Wireless continues to be a true corporate leader on the issue of education and awareness around violence prevention. We admire the many men and women within this wonderful organization for their genuine dedication to this important issue," said Esta Soler, Founder and President, FVPF.

Through HopeLine, Verizon Wireless puts wireless phones to work to help victims of domestic violence. HopeLine collects wireless phones and accessories and then refurbishes the phones or recycles them in an environmentally friendly way, with all proceeds benefiting domestic violence victims. HopeLine also sponsors phone collection drives and events -- like the one scheduled at the 5K Fun Run and Oakland A's game at the McAfee Coliseum on Sunday, June 18-- and the "HopeLine Phone Auction" held on eBay last month. One-of-a-kind phones autographed by celebrities such as Donald Trump, Dr. Phil McGraw and others, were auctioned to six lucky fans, raising money that will be donated to Safe Horizon, the leading provider of services for victims of violence in New York City.

HopeLine phone donations are accepted at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country. For more 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 Basking Ridge, 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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