Donation To Young Athletes Foundation Marks Grand Opening Of New Verizon Wireless Store

DULUTH, MN — At a "wire-cutting" ceremony today, Verizon Wireless celebrated the grand opening of its first company-owned communications store at Miller Hill Mall in Duluth by presenting a check for $1,250 to Scott Keenan, Executive Director of Grandma's Marathon, in support of the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF). The grant will support YAF youth athletic programs as well as provide funds for athletic shoes for underprivileged youth in the Twin Ports area.

"We are pleased to give-back to the community by supporting youth in the Duluth area," said Alex Ross, Director of Retail Sales for the Great Plains Region of Verizon Wireless. "This grant extends our relationship as the official wireless provider for Grandma's Marathon to include the community-based programs of the Twin Ports."

The YAF is a Grandma's Marathon program that was developed in 1990 to assist in the promotion, development and growth of youth athletics. Since its conception, the YAF has provided over 500 pairs of running shoes to area high schools and has contributed over $66,000 in grants to non-profit athletic organizations. The foundation is able to provide this support through sponsorship monies, benefit races and special fundraising. The Fitger's 5K, Park Point 5-Miler and Live & Silent Auction are the basis of these fundraising efforts.

Verizon Wireless' store grand opening will run through Sunday, June 3, with special customer incentives including free 25^th Anniversary Grandma's Marathon t-shirts to the first 100 customers who make a purchase. The store features the latest digital phones and accessories as well as local, regional and national calling plans with no roaming charges and free long distance.

The 516 square-foot Verizon Wireless store is located at the Miller Hill Mall near Old Navy and is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, noon - 6 p.m. The store's phone number is (218) 279-1900 and the store manager is Greg Morgan.

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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