Central Indiana Residents Can Help Domestic Violence Survivors and Preserve The Environment

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Verizon Wireless is making it easy for Central Indiana residents to help domestic violence survivors and commemorate Earth Day (April 22) by collecting no-longer-used wireless phones during a special collection drive at its local Communications Stores between April 16 — 22, 2004.

For each wireless handset donated during the collection drive, Verizon Wireless will contribute $5 to the Salvation Army Ruth Lilly Social Service Center. Locations of Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the Indianapolis area are:

• 6633 E. 82nd St. (Castleton)
• 1950-17 E. Greyhound Pass, #B11 (Carmel)
• 8403 N. Michigan Rd.
• 8940 U.S. 31 S. (Greenwood)
• 8248A W. Rockville Rd. (Westpoint Commons)
• 49 W. Maryland St. (Circle Centre Mall)

Through its award-winning HopeLine^SM program, Verizon Wireless collects no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories from any wireless service provider. Most of the phones and equipment are refurbished and sold; then the company uses the proceeds to purchase newer wireless phones for domestic violence survivors and to support domestic violence shelters and organizations. The remaining phones are recycled in an environmentally friendly way.

"Our HopeLine program has provided many domestic violence survivors with a lifeline that has helped them go about their day-to-day lives with less fear," said Greg Haller, president of Verizon Wireless' Indiana Region. "The program also offers an environmentally friendly alternative to just throwing handsets away. Earth Day is a nice reminder to all of us to pull those unused wireless phones off the dusty shelves and out of the junk drawers so they can be put to good use."

In 2003, the Salvation Army Social Service Center provided services to more than 1,200 women and children of which 30 percent were victims of domestic violence. "Every dollar truly counts," said Susan Solman, director of the Salvation Army Social Service Center. "Five dollars may not seem like much but, for a woman who has nothing, it can purchase a meal or bus ticket. We are so appreciative of all that Verizon Wireless is doing in the domestic violence arena. The HopeLine program has just been wonderful."

Since January 2001, Verizon Verizon Wireless has collected more than 1.2 million no-longer-used wireless phones that have been turned into lifelines and/or much-needed funds for domestic violence victims and advocacy organizations. For more information, call 1-800-426-2790 or visit the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

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/verizonwireless.

About the Salvation Army Ruth Lilly Social Service Center
The Salvation Army Ruth Lilly Social Service Center is a safe haven for abused and homeless women and children. Located in downtown Indianapolis, the center assists women and children who have experienced a personal crisis that has left them with no home and no one to turn to but the Salvation Army. Services provided by the center are intended to meet the immediate needs of women and children, with the ultimate goal of helping them learn how to live independently in our community.

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