Bills Fans Donate 1,133 Used Wireless Phones To Combat Domestic Violence In Buffalo, New York

BUFFALO, NY — Verizon Wireless and the Buffalo Bills announced today that the Sunday, October 1st collection of no-longer-used wireless phones at Ralph Wilson Stadium resulted in the donation of 1,133 phones to benefit victims of domestic violence. This year's total is the largest in the six years the Bills and Verizon Wireless have collected phones for domestic violence victims. Through Verizon Wireless' HopeLine^® program, these phones will be refurbished and recycled or sold. Proceeds will be used to purchase wireless phones for use by domestic violence victims in emergency or threatening situations. HopeLine also makes financial grants to domestic violence organizations.

"We would like to thank the Buffalo Bills, our HopeLine spokesperson London Fletcher, and especially the fans for their unprecedented support of our HopeLine program and for the amazing response to Sunday's game-day collection," said Ken Dixon, president of Verizon Wireless' Upstate New York Region.

In addition to the phone collection, the fifth annual HopeLine Award, recognizing outstanding achievement in the effort to end domestic violence in our communities, was presented to Pat Long of Changes & Changes in Livingston County, and Carey Travis of the Monroe County Family Court-Domestic Violence Intensive Intervention Court, before the game. Verizon Wireless will donate $2,500 in their names to their respective programs in recognition of their important work and dedication.

Marking its 11th year in 2006, HopeLine collects wireless phones and accessories from any wireless service provider. Since 1995, Verizon Wireless has collected more than two million used wireless phones for the benefit of domestic violence victims and advocacy groups. Donations will continue to be accepted at the more than 90 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the Upstate New York area, and at  company retail locations across the country. All wireless phone models, batteries and chargers from any carrier are accepted. 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 54.8 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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