Verizon Wireless Celebrates Grand Opening Of Newest Communications Store In Butler, New Jersey

BUTLER, NJ — In response to the growing demand for the company's voice and data products and services, Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, today celebrated the grand opening of its newest Communications Store in Butler with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and donations to two Morris County non-profit agencies serving local families at risk.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony included $1,250 HopeLine® donations to the Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs and Neighborhood House. The Organization for Hispanic Affairs, located in Morristown, has been an advocate for disadvantaged families in the Hispanic community for 30 years, and offers a variety of bilingual programs and services. Neighborhood House, which traces its Morris County roots to the 1800s, also provides counseling and resources to low-income families, single mothers and their children.

Verizon Wireless' national HopeLine^® phone recycling program collects used cell phones of any make or model, from any wireless carrier. Phones are recycled or sold and the proceeds are donated in the form of cash grants and pre-paid wireless handsets to advocacy groups for use by battered women.

Store Manager Eiad Twam encouraged local residents to stop by the store and drop off their old, no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories. "This small act can make a huge difference in the lives of women and children affected by violence in the home," Twam said. "HopeLine is an innovative approach that not only helps protect women and families at risk, but also protects the environment by keeping electronic waste out of our landfills."

Verizon Wireless was the first wireless carrier in the nation to collect and recycle old cell phones and has done so since January 1999, first in New Jersey and then across the U.S. Nationally, the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program has given more than $5 million in cash grants and more than 60,000 phones with airtime to domestic violence prevention organizations. Locally, HopeLine's direct and in-kind donations total more than $850,000.

Butler residents interested in recycling their phones can visit the store located at 1538 Route 23 North. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The store phone number is 973-838-9950.

The new store features over 4,000 square feet of retail, technical support and customer service space to accommodate hands-on displays in a full-service environment. Staffed by knowledgeable wireless professionals, a broad range of equipment and service options are available, including the sleek new touch-screen Voyager phone, equipped for live V CAST Mobile TV and full access to the Internet; VZ Navigator, which provides audible turn-by-turn directions; and V CAST Music which allows customers to download full songs directly to their phones and Microsoft® Windows^® XP-based PCs.

The Butler Communications Store is one of more than 140 Verizon Wireless interactive retail locations in the New York Metro area. HopeLine phone donations are accepted at all Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in New Jersey 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 more than 65.7 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 68,000 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.  

####