Wisconsinites Donate More Than 14,000 Phones In 2011 To Hopeline® From Verizon

MILWAUKEE, WI — Verizon continues its ongoing mission to spread the message of domestic violence prevention and put resources into the hands of victims and survivors of domestic violence. In 2011, Wisconsin residents donated more than 14,000 no-longer-used wireless phones to HopeLine® from Verizon, Verizon Wireless’ phone recycling and reuse program, to support domestic violence victims and survivors and awareness programs throughout the area.

“This year, Wisconsinites stepped up and made a difference in the lives of domestic violence victims in our area,” said T.J. Fox, region president, Verizon Wireless. “Domestic violence is a silent epidemic that affects so many, and Verizon uses its technology and other resources to help domestic violence victims and survivors.”

Through HopeLine, the company collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories in any condition from any carrier and puts them to work in the community by turning them into support for domestic violence survivors. Phones collected through HopeLine recycling drives are either refurbished and sold or recycled. The proceeds, in the form of cash grants and prepaid Verizon Wireless phones, are then donated to organizations that work against domestic violence.

Wisconsin residents are encouraged to donate no-longer-used phones and accessories to the HopeLine program at local Verizon Wireless Communication Stores or by downloading postage-paid mailing labels from the HopeLine website.

Verizon Wireless offers a direct link for help across its nationwide wireless network through #HOPE, which provides victims with an avenue to safety and independence. By dialing “#HOPE” from any Verizon Wireless phone on the nationwide network, victims of domestic violence are able to access professional support quickly and confidentially. The toll- and airtime-free call is routed to the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE).

Since the national recycling program began in 2001, HopeLine has collected more than 9 million phones; awarded more than $14 million in cash grants to prevention and awareness programs nationwide; and donated more than 123,000 HopeLine phones with 406 million minutes of airtime to victims, survivors and domestic violence organizations. The program has also properly disposed of more than 1 million phones in an environmentally sound way and refurbished the remaining units.

To learn more about HopeLine from Verizon Wireless and to become involved, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

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About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves nearly 108 million total wireless connections, including 92.2 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 82,000 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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