Verizon Wireless, American Red Cross Team Up To Aid Quad Cities Flood Victims

DAVENPORT, IA — Verizon Wireless and the American Red Cross have teamed up to assist flood victims in the Quad Cities region with emergency communication and disaster coordination.

Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless service provider, has donated 35 digital cellular telephones and free air time for the duration of the crisis to help American Red Cross disaster volunteers coordinate aid to flood victims.

"We are always pleased to help the community, particularly at this very distressing time," said Mike Carroll, district sales manager for Verizon Wireless. "It's during crisis situations like this that we all realize how important swift and reliable communication is to our lives. Our donation of wireless technology during this flood can help disaster personnel function more efficiently and bring the region together."

At a news conference in Davenport, spokesmen for the American Red Cross said the Verizon Wireless donation is a critical part of their disaster effort.

"We applaud Verizon Wireless' sense of community spirit and are very grateful for the tools they have given us to respond to this disaster," said Gary Shivers of the American Red Cross. "Good corporate citizenship is vital to all communities, and Verizon Wireless' quick response proves their commitment to the Quad Cities."

Carroll noted that this is not the first time Verizon Wireless or its predecessors have stepped forward for the Quad Cities area. Its predecessor companies donated similar wireless service in the Great Flood of 1993 and again in 1997. Verizon Wireless also donates free cellular telephones and air time to domestic violence shelters throughout the Quad Cities area.

Carroll commended the American Red Cross for its exemplary performance in serving the Quad Cities during the recent flooding. Since April 18, the American Red Cross has distributed more than 35,000 meals and 561 clean-up kits to area flood victims, received 133 calls on its disaster hotline, and made nearly 300 outreach and mental health contacts. Many more meals and clean-up kits will be distributed as the flood waters recede.

"This has been a team effort and we are very proud of our volunteers and staff," said Shivers. "They continue our tradition that 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we'll be there."

"When a crucial need arises, we stand ready to do our part to make communication possible," Carroll said. "Victims of this flood are our employees, customers, neighbors and friends. We are committed to helping them now and in the future."

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with more than 27 million wireless voice and data customers. The coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD), including Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, GTE Wireless and PrimeCo Personal Communications. Verizon Wireless has a footprint covering more than 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 96 of the top 100 U.S. markets. The company, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 40,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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