Verizon Wireless Celebrates Grand Opening of Newest Communications Store in Bayside, Queens, New York

BAYSIDE, NEW YORK — 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 located at Bay Terrace Plaza with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a pledge to the local community.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony included the launch of a month-long HopeLine^® phone recycling drive to benefit the Center for the Women of New York. Formerly the Queens Women's Center, this local non-profit organization is committed to providing resources to women impacted by domestic violence. Formed in 1987, it spearheads the effort in the courts to overcome legal obstacles to providing adequate protection for women who live in crisis situations.

Verizon Wireless will donate $5, up to a maximum of $2,500, to the Center for every phone collected at the new store during the month of February.

Store Manager Zhanna Kalen 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 scarred by violence in the home," Kalen said. "HopeLine is an innovative approach that not only helps protect women at risk, but also protects the environment by keeping electronic waste out of our landfills."

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.

- 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 York 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 including more than $150,000 to the New York City Family Justice Center Initiative.

"We are pleased to welcome Verizon Wireless to the Bayside community and thank them for their generous support," said Barbara Scheiner, director of the Center for the Women of New York. "In addition to financial support, the HopeLine program provides us with a unique opportunity to raise community awareness about the devastating impact of domestic violence."

Queens residents interested in recycling their phones can visit the store located at 23-70 Bell Boulevard in Bayside. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The store phone number is 718-281-0920.

The new store features over 3,100 square feet of retail, technical support and customer service space to accommodate hands-on displays and 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^SM, 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 Bay Terrace 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 York 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 65.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD).  For more information, go to: 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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