Verizon Wireless Technology Helps Domestic Violence Survivors in New York Rebuild Lives

ORANGEBURG,NY — Continuing its commitment to domestic violence prevention and awareness, Verizon Wireless recently donated 75 wireless phones and free airtime to Westchester County's Office for Women.

The donation was made through the company's HopeLine® phone recycling program. No-longer-used wireless phones, collected at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores throughout the New York Metro area, are refurbished, recycled or sold and the proceeds are donated to domestic violence advocacy groups or used to purchase wireless phones for victims. Phones that cannot be refurbished are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

The Westchester County Office for Women will distribute the phones to domestic violence agencies throughout the county to lend to women at risk. The phones will allow the women to call for help in emergencies and to make phone calls necessary to rebuild their lives.

"HopeLine recycling provides a quick and easy way for each of us to make a difference in the lives of families scarred by domestic violence," said Charles Hand, president of Verizon Wireless' New York Metro Region. "Something a simple as a wireless phone can help enable and empower these women to take positive steps to transform their lives."

Verizon Wireless is a recognized corporate leader for its commitment to preventing domestic violence and raising awareness of the issue. Since 2001, the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program has collected more than three million phones and recycled more than 700,000. During the past four years, using funds generated by the HopeLine program, Verizon Wireless' New York Metro Region has awarded 12 HopeLine grants totaling $120,000 to domestic violence prevention groups to fund new or expanded programs.

In 2004, the Northern Westchester Shelter received a $10,000 HopeLine grant to support the "Love Should Not Hurt" Teen Dating Abuse Summit, held in April 2005. The program brought together students from 15 high schools in Westchester County to raise awareness about and offer solutions to abusive dating relationships and family violence.

In addition to free wireless phones, service and voice mailboxes for victims, HopeLine includes community and corporate awareness initiatives, and a bilingual "Invest in Yourself" program designed to help survivors re-enter the workforce.

HopeLine phone donations also are accepted at all Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in Westchester County and across the nation. For store locations and additional information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 57 million customers. The largest US wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ, with 60,000 employees nationwide. The company 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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