Verizon Wireless Donates Phones And Service To Turning Point For Families In Hawaii

HILO, HI — Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless provider, has donated 20 wireless phones and one year of free service to Turning Point For Families' domestic abuse programs. The donation is part of the company's continuing effort to aid domestic violence programs in communities around the country.

"We are grateful for the wireless phones and free service from Verizon Wireless," said Turning Point For Families' Executive Director Lee Lord. "This donation will provide the security and mobility of wireless phones to those served by our domestic abuse programs. The phones, which can be carried by our program participants at all times, will help ensure the safety of women who are threatened by domestic violence. In an emergency, pressing one button on the phone will connect participants with a law enforcement dispatcher or with the Turning Point For Families crisis hotline."

"I am pleased that once again Verizon Wireless is putting wireless products and services to work to enhance the safety of Hawaii residents," said Andy Tanaka, manager for the Verizon Wireless retail store in Hilo. "We are especially delighted to further expand our support for this worthy organization which provides so many critical programs in our community."

Verizon Wireless provided a $5,000 grant to Turning Point For Families in November 2001 to support its Rural Outreach Services, including individual counseling, support groups, advocacy, assistance with temporary restraining order preparation and safety planning. In December, Verizon Wireless employees donated toys and toiletry items to the Turning Point's Family Crisis Shelter to help brighten the holidays for domestic violence victims and their children.

Big Island residents can continue to assist Verizon Wireless in its efforts to aid domestic violence victims by donating used wireless phones through its HopeLineSM program. Collected phones are sent to a recycling center and enable Verizon Wireless to donate wireless phones and airtime to more victims of domestic violence through human services organizations. All makes and models of wireless phones are accepted, along with accessories and batteries. Used equipment can be dropped off at any Verizon Wireless communications store.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the leading wireless communications provider in the U.S., with the largest wireless network and more than 29.4 million 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). 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.

To update your profile or remove yourself from automatic News Delivery, please visit the Verizon Wireless Customized News Service Center.

####