Verizon Employees Encouraged to Provide Aid, Blood To Victims of Sept. 11 Terrorist Attacks

NEW YORK, NY — Verizon Communications and Verizon Wireless today encouraged their 260,000 employees to support the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by donating money or blood. Verizon Foundation also announced a three-to-one match for employee donations to the September 11th Fund in New York, as well as Foundation donations of more than $1 million to three organizations in areas affected by the attacks.

"We've received thousands of calls from Verizon employees asking how they might help in this time of tremendous need," said Suzanne DuBose, president - Verizon Foundation. "We encourage everyone in the Verizon family to use the matching gift program we've created in order to leverage their donations to aid those directly affected by the terrorist attacks."

Employees making donations should notify Verizon Foundation, which will match on a three-to-one basis every registered donation of up to $2,500 per employee made between Sept. 13 and Oct. 13. Employees' checks should be made payable to the "The September 11th Fund," and they should write "VZ" in the memo section of the check.

Verizon Wireless employees should donate online at http://www.uwnyc.org . These employees need to follow a different procedure because of their inability to access certain databases within Verizon Communications.

The fund was established Sept. 11 by the United Way of New York and the New York Community Trust and is providing immediate support to established emergency assistance agencies, such as the American Red Cross. It also will bring together the resources of other nonprofit health and human service agencies. Verizon employees who wish to contribute should send their checks to:

C/o United Way September 11th Fund

2 Park Avenue

New York, New York, 10016

All Verizon employee gifts must be registered between Sept. 13 and Oct. 13 to qualify for the Verizon Foundation match. Contributions can be registered online, by phone or by fax:

-- Online -- http://foundation.verizon.com/v2

-- Phone - 866-247-2687

-- Fax - 978-794-9111 (Verizon employees must be sure to provide their name, Social Security number, address, telephone numbers and pledge amounts.)

Verizon anticipates about $1 million will be donated to the September 11th Fund through employee donations and foundation matching funds. The September 11th Fund is supported by the Washington-based Council on Foundations. A distribution committee formed by the New York United Way and the New York Community Trust will administer the fund. The committee will ensure that resources are deployed effectively in New York and other cities affected by the terrorist attacks.

Blood Donations

A national plea also has been issued for blood donations. Verizon employees are encouraged to give blood at existing donation centers, such as the American Red Cross, American Blood Centers, and local hospitals. Anyone needing more information about where to give blood in any given local community can call one of the following toll-free numbers:

-- 1-888-BLOOD88 (American Blood Centers)

-- 1-800 GIVE LIFE (American Red Cross)

Foundation Donates $1.125 Million

Verizon Foundation will donate $1 million to the New York Police and Fire Widows and Orphans Fund; $100,00 to the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C., and $25,000 to the American Red Cross in Somerset, Pa.

Verizon Foundation supports a variety of programs that focus on improving basic and computer literacy, bridging the digital divide, enriching communities through technology and creating a skilled work force. The foundation promotes partnerships in technology with organizations serving the needs of diverse communities, people with disabilities, and the economically and socially disadvantaged. The foundation also supports Verizon Volunteers, an incentive program that encourages Verizon employees to volunteer in their communities and provides matching gifts to nonprofit organizations. For more information on the foundation, visit http://www.verizon.com/foundation on the Internet.

Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 125 million access line equivalents and 28 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with about 260,000 employees and more than $65 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit http://www.verizon.com .

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with more than 28 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 97 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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