Houston Area Women's Center Joins Verizon Wireless to Produce 2004 Calendar

HOUSTON, TX — In an effort to create a more colorful world, the children of the Houston Area Women's Center (HAWC) celebrate 2004 with original artwork featured in a first-ever calendar. The calendar also includes domestic violence statistics in our country today, raising awareness of this troubling reality. Sponsored by a grant from the Verizon Wireless HopeLine^SM program, proceeds from the calendar will benefit help provide shelter and support services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The calendar is available for purchase at the main HAWC offices at 1010 Waugh Drive, Second to None at 1435 Westheimer and www.hawc.org. The calendars are $10 each or two for $15.

"We are thrilled to offer this calendar for the first time," said Ellen Cohen, president and CEO, HAWC. "It reveals the resounding spirit of these children, while building community awareness of HAWC's services and the serious nature of domestic and sexual violence."

The Texas Council on Family Violence reported 183, 440 family violence incidents in 2002 in Texas alone, and the U.S. Department of Justice's 2001 Report of Violence Against Women reports that one in three women will experience domestic or sexual violence in her lifetime.

Committed to raise awareness of this national epidemic and primarily focused on the prevention of domestic violence, Verizon Wireless' HopeLine is a multi-faceted program. Its cornerstone is wireless phone recycling program, which includes the sale or refurbishment of phones donated across the country. It then provides wireless phones or funds to domestic violence advocacy organizations, such as the Houston Area Women's Center.

Recognizing how pervasive domestic violence is in the home and the workplace, Verizon Wireless has long been committed to promoting prevention and awareness programs and helping survivors in the life-rebuilding process.

"Verizon Wireless is committed to helping those affected most by domestic violence — women, families and children," said Katherine Greene, president, Houston/Gulf Coast region. "In a world where it's sometimes hard to find the time, money or creativity to help those in need, buying a HAWC calendar or donating a phone to the HopeLine program are a simple ways for Houstonians to get involved and address this complex problem."

Wireless phones and equipment donations can be donated at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store or sent to:

Verizon Wireless HopeLine
c/o ReCellular Inc
2555 Bishop Circle W.
Dexter, MI 48130

For additional information, visit the HopeLine Web site at:
www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  To receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program, log onto www.thenewsmarket.com.  

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 37.5 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.  To receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto www.thenewsmarket.com.  

About the Houston Area Women's Center
Founded in 1977, the Houston Area Women's Center provides shelter, support and advocacy services to survivors of sexual and domestic violence, their friends and families. All services are provided free of charge. Find more information on the Web at www.hawc.org.  

About HopeLine
Verizon Wireless encourages customers who are upgrading their wireless phone to participate in its exclusive HopeLine phone recycling program. The national HopeLine program distributes previously owned wireless phones to victims of domestic violence, supports non-profit domestic violence advocacy groups and provides an environmentally safe method of recycling phones. Donations are accepted at all 1,200-plus Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country. For additional information, customers can also visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

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