Verizon Wireless Honors Florida Governor Crist With HopeLine Hero Award For Domestic Violence Prevention Efforts

TAMPA, FL — Verizon Wireless has presented Florida Governor Charlie Crist with the 2008 HopeLine Hero Award for his ongoing efforts to prevent domestic violence in the state.

Governor Crist has a longstanding record of supporting domestic violence prevention efforts. Earlier this year, he signed several bills into law that strengthen penalties against domestic violence offenders. He also has approved budgets setting aside nearly one million dollars each year to domestic violence prevention and education.

Previously, as State Attorney General, he made domestic abuse a top priority in the state criminal justice system.

Verizon Wireless officials presented the award to the governor at a recent ceremony in Tallahassee. At the event, Verizon Wireless also presented a check for $5,000 to the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence to support the agency’s efforts against domestic violence.

“The HopeLine Hero Award was created to thank dedicated people who have gone above and beyond to support domestic violence awareness and prevention,” said Pam Tope, Florida region president for Verizon Wireless. “Governor Crist has made this a high-profile and high-priority effort to punish offenders and protect victims, which will help so many families across the state.”

Established in 1995, the HopeLine program accepts no-longer used wireless phones and accessories from any wireless service provider and turns them into help and support for victims of domestic violence and the non-profit agencies and shelters that serve them. Since 2001, Verizon Wireless has collected more than 5.3 million phones and donated more than $5.6 million to local domestic violence agencies nationwide.

Used wireless phones may be donated to the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program at any Verizon Wireless retail store in Florida. For more information about Verizon Wireless and the HopeLine program, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 68.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 70,000 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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