Hometown Holiday Toy And Book Drive To Benefit Children Of Domestic Violence Survivors In Traverse City Area In Michigan

TRAVERSE CITY, MI — Verizon Wireless today announced the kickoff of its 2010 Verizon Wireless “Hometown Holiday Toy and Book Drive.” The drive will provide gifts for children living in the emergency shelter at the Women’s Resource Center, a domestic violence organization serving Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Benzie and Antrim counties.

Donations of new toys and books can be made now through Friday, December 10, at the Verizon Wireless Communications Store in Traverse City at 2021 South Airport Road W. The store is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations can also be made at these participating Verizon Wireless authorized retailers:

• The Cellular Connection, 559 South Cedar, Kalkaska: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday; closed on Sunday
• The Cellular Connection, 316 South Division, Bellaire: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday; closed on Sunday
• Flexicom Wireless, 3985 Beitner, Traverse City: 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday; 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday
• Wireless Zone, 2770 West Silver Lake Road, Traverse City: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Wednesday; 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday; 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday
• Wireless Zone, 5754 U.S. Highway 31 North, Williamsburg; 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Wednesday; 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday; 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday

Along with new books, donated gifts may include items such as coloring books, crayons, board games, dolls, action figures, video games and video game systems, arts and crafts kits and G-rated DVDs. All donations should be packaged, but unwrapped.

“Children living in our shelter need love and support, and we are pleased Verizon Wireless and its customers will provide some additional holiday joy this year,” said Jo Bullis, executive director of the Women’s Resource Center. “This is another example of a company that understands that combating domestic violence requires assistance from business partners and community leaders.”

The Women’s Resource Center provides emergency shelter to women and their children who are victims of domestic or sexual violence. During their residency at their shelter Helen’s House, assistance is provided to attain resources for meeting immediate and future needs. The Women’s Resource Center provides comprehensive domestic and sexual violence services, including crisis intervention through a toll-free crisis line and on-call staff, transitional and permanent supportive housing, and one-on-one and group support for survivors.

“We hope these donations put a smile on the face of every child who receives a gift,” said David Rapson, district manager-retail sales, Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in northern Michigan. “Verizon Wireless is committed to the communities where our customers and employees live and work. By making a small donation of a new toy or book, people can help make the holiday season special for a child. We invite northern Michiganders to join us in this important drive.”

About Verizon Wireless in Michigan
In Michigan, Verizon Wireless has more than 2,100 employees and 65 company-owned retail locations in more than 40 cities, including Allen Park, Alpena, Alpine Twp., Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, Battle Creek, Bay City, Brighton, Burton, Canton, Clinton Twp., Dearborn, Detroit, East Lansing, Farmington Hills, Fenton, Flint, Fort Gratiot, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Highland Park, Holland, Jackson, Kentwood, Lake Orion, Lansing, Livonia, Midland, Monroe, Muskegon, Northville, Novi, Okemos, Petoskey, Pontiac, Portage, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Saginaw, St. Clair Shores, St. Joseph, Southfield, Taylor, Traverse City, Troy, Utica, Warren and Westland.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: 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.

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