Bell Atlantic Mobile Kicks Off YWCA Week Without Violence

WILMINGTON, DE — Bell Atlantic Mobile, this year's sponsor for the YWCA Week Without Violence launch press event, will present 15 phones donated by Motorola as part of its "Wireless at Work" program. The phones will be provided to participants in YWCA's Helping Hearts Program so domestic violence victims may seek emergency assistance at the push of a button. The event will feature two newly created playground wall murals developed by children and the YWCA's artist-in-residence that depict a world without violence.

In addition, Bell Atlantic Mobile is donating wireless phones with free airtime to YWCA counselors to help them communicate with their main office while they're assisting clients off-site, including domestic violence victims and their children.

"Since our business is all about helping people communicate anytime, anywhere, we hope that these 'high-tech' safety tools will help people stay safe and connected," said John Stratton, regional president for Bell Atlantic Mobile.

Earlier in the week, Bell Atlantic Mobile joined with U.S. Sen. Joseph R. Biden, Jr. to launch a state-wide "Wireless at Work" Phone Recycling Program to benefit victims of domestic violence. The drive, which runs through November 15, allows wireless phone users throughout Delaware to donate their unused older model cellular phones at drop-off sites. Bell Atlantic Mobile will reprogram these phones to dial 9-1-1 only, before they are distributed to victims of domestic violence. Phones are being collected at Sen. Biden's offices in Wilmington, Dover and Georgetown.

Bell Atlantic Mobile has been a corporate leader in the fight against domestic violence. Since 1995, the company's "Wireless at Work" program has provided more than 8,000 wireless phones to programs, arming thousands of victims with emergency communications tools. And this month, the company teamed with Motorola to donate 2,500 phones throughout its service area, including today's donation.

Editor's Note: Bell Atlantic Mobile owns and operates the largest wireless network in the East and systems in the Southwest, covering 180,000 square miles, and the largest chain of retail outlets devoted exclusively to wireless voice, data and paging. Based in Bedminster, NJ, Bell Atlantic Mobile has 6.6 million customers and 8,000 employees from Maine to George and in parts of Arizona, New Mexico and west Texas. Through its "Wireless at Work..." community service program, the company uses its technology to help individuals and communities improve security and emergency communications. Bell Atlantic Mobile's parent, Bell Atlantic Corporation (NYSE:BEL) is one of the world's largest wireless communications companies, with domestic operations in 25 states and international investments in Mexico, Europe and the Pacific Rim. For more information on Bell Atlantic Mobile, visit: www.bam.com; on global operations, visit: www.bellatlantic.com/worldwide.

####