Hometown Holiday Toy And Book Drive To Benefit Children Of Domestic Violence Survivors In Northern Michigan

GAYLORD, 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 of Northern Michigan, a domestic violence organization serving communities in Otsego, Emmet, Cheboygan, Antrim and Charlevoix counties. The Gaylord Herald Times is a supporting media sponsor.

Donations of new toys and books can be made now through Friday, December 10, at the Verizon Wireless Communications Store in Gaylord at 1393 W. Main Street. 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 The Cellular Connection, a Verizon Wireless authorized retailer with participating stores in these locations:

• 173 Michigan Highway 66 North, Charlevoix: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday; closed on Sunday
• 8430 Michigan Highway119, Harbor Springs: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; closed on Saturday and Sunday
• 7722 South U.S. Highway 31, Alanson: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday; closed on Sunday
• 250 South Lake Street, East Jordan: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday; closed on Sunday
• 1006 South Main Street, Cheboygan; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday; closed on 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 deserve all the love and support that can be given and we are pleased that Verizon Wireless and its customers will help to brighten the holiday for them,” said Jan Mancinelli, executive director of the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan.

The Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan has been giving safe shelter and support to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault since 1977. Services include shelter, crisis counseling and legal, medical, financial and personal advocacy.

“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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