Verizon Wireless Advances Additional $4.84 Million In Donations From Its Customers To Red Cross

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — In its second direct bank transfer in seven days, Verizon Wireless today transmitted $4.84 million to the American Red Cross relief effort for Haiti, representing additional pledges made by 762,284 Verizon Wireless customers with pledges totaling $7.82 million to the Red Cross from the beginning of the humanitarian relief effort through 11:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Verizon Wireless made an initial $2.98 million advance to the Red Cross on Friday, Jan. 15. Today’s $4.84 million represents 100 percent of the donations made by Verizon Wireless customers from 1:55 p.m. EST on Friday, Jan. 15 through 11:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 20.

As the outpouring of support continues from wireless users texting “HAITI” to 90999, the company said it was advancing these funds pledged by Verizon Wireless customers to the Red Cross, outside of normal operation procedures. The company noted that the White House website (www.whitehouse.gov) endorsed the State Department’s specific request on Jan. 12 that Americans donate to the Haiti relief effort by texting $10 pledges to the Red Cross: “For those interested in helping immediately, simply text ‘HAITI’ to ‘90999’ and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill.”

Jeffrey Towers, American Red Cross chief development officer, said, “Raising this amount of money $10 at a time is a true testament to the American spirit. The success of the mobile campaign shows the powerful impact and opportunity this channel can have on fundraising. The needs in Haiti are tremendous and we want to thank the people who continue to donate and help the American Red Cross meet that need.”

Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless president and chief executive officer, said, “At a time when every hour counts, companies like Verizon Wireless need to examine what we can do to help our neighbors in need. In this instance, we put aside our normal practices in order to expedite assistance to the American Red Cross because of its opportunity to make an immediate difference in the lives of thousands of Haitian people.”

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving 89 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NASDAQ and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit 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.####