Verizon Wireless Donates Phones and Service to Domestic Violence Crisis Center in Stamford, Connecticut

STAMFORD, CT — Verizon Wireless, America's largest wireless carrier, today donated 10 wireless phones with airtime to Domestic Violence Crisis Center in Stamford for emergency use by victims of domestic abuse. The donation is part of the HopeLine^SM program, Verizon Wireless' national program that distributes previously owned wireless phones to victims of domestic violence, supports non-profit domestic violence advocacy groups and provides an environmentally-friendly method for recycling phones.

"Verizon Wireless' support and commitment to domestic violence shelters and victims in our area is greatly appreciated," said Mary Watson Stribula, Executive Director of Domestic Violence Crisis Center. The non-profit intervention and prevention organization serves Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, New Canaan, Westport, Wilton and Weston, and provides free, confidential services to adult victims and their children. Services include a 24-hour hotline, crisis counseling, emergency shelter, safety planning, support groups, criminal and civil court advocacy, information and referrals, community education and counseling and advocacy for children affected by domestic violence.

Phones collected through HopeLine are refurbished, recycled or sold, with working phones and proceeds given to non-profit domestic violence organizations. Wireless phones allow users to call for help if they find themselves in a threatening situation with an abuser.

"The HopeLine Phone Recycling program is an easy way for community-minded citizens to support local domestic violence organizations as they help abused women re-build their lives," said Bob Stott, president of Verizon Wireless' New England Region. "Domestic violence does not discriminate. It's all around us in places most of us would never imagine. Citizens who support the program could very well be helping their own friends or neighbors."

Verizon Wireless makes financial grants to regional and national domestic violence organizations. Through its associated programs, the company provides emergency phones to law enforcement agencies and domestic violence programs; delivers free voicemail boxes for use by women in transition residing in shelters and safe houses to receive and retrieve private messages from potential employers and landlords; donates new or refurbished wireless phones; executes free Invest in Yourself seminars to help prepare women for employment, and also sponsors the HopeLine Cycling Team, a professional women's cycling team that races throughout New England to help raise awareness about domestic violence. The cycling team donates all winnings to regional HopeLine related organizations.

As a result of HopeLine and related phone recycling programs the company has organized since 1995, Verizon Wireless has collected one million used wireless phones for the benefit of domestic violence victims and advocacy groups.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 32.5 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.

About HopeLine
Verizon Wireless encourages customers who are upgrading their wireless phones to participate in its exclusive HopeLine phone recycling program. Phone donations are accepted at all 1,200-plus Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country, including 20 stores in Connecticut. For additional information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

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