Verizon Wireless To Celebrate Grand Opening Of Newest Communications Store In Westfield, New Jersey

WESTFIELD, NJ — In response to the growing demand for the company’s voice and data products and services, Verizon Wireless will celebrate the grand opening of its newest Communications Store in Westfield next weekend.

The new store, located at 109 North Avenue West, is the fourth Verizon Wireless store in New Jersey, to incorporate a new interactive retail design inviting consumers to experience wireless voice, data, music and video services in a sleek, full-service environment. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The store phone number is 908-789-1201.

Grand-opening festivities begin on Thursday, August 14, with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a presentation of a $1,000 HopeLine® donation to the YWCA of Eastern Union County's Project Protect, which offers a range of services to survivors of domestic violence and their children.

On Saturday, August 16, the celebration will continue with refreshments, family fun activities and a chance to win N.Y. Giants pre-season tickets from noon to 4:00 p.m. Family fun activities will continue on Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m.

A recognized corporate leader for its commitment to preventing domestic violence and raising awareness of the issue, the Verizon Wireless donation was made possible through the company’s HopeLine phone recycling program.

“We are pleased to welcome Verizon Wireless to the Westfield community and thank them for their generous support,” said Maria Tsitsiragos, treasurer of the board of directors of the YWCA of Eastern Union County. “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.”

Verizon Wireless’ national HopeLine phone recycling program collects used cellphones 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 Pedro Valentin encourages local residents to stop by the store, join in the festivities 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,” he 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 cellphones 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 nearly $1 million.

The new store features over 3,000 square feet of retail, technical support and customer service space and is staffed by knowledgeable wireless professionals. Verizon Wireless offers a broad range of equipment and service options including a new line-up of devices that combine V CAST Music capabilities, Mobile TV and full access to the Internet and VZ Navigator(SM) Version 4.0 which adds traffic and gas station information to audible turn-by-turn directions.

The Westfield Communications Store is the sixth to open in Union County and 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 68.7 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 70,000 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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