Seattle Mariners and Verizon Wireless Team Up to Provide a HopeLine for Domestic Violence Survivors

SEATTLE, WA — Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless provider, and the Seattle Mariners are teaming to help curb domestic violence in our community. Fans attending the Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics game on Wednesday, July 21, are invited to donate used wireless phones and accessories to benefit domestic violence survivors through the Verizon Wireless HopeLine^SM program. HopeLine drop boxes will be located outside the stadium's four entrances from 5:00 p.m. — 7:30 p.m. In addition, the first 20,000 fans in attendance at the July 21 game will receive a Mariners keepsake key chain.

Through the HopeLine program, used wireless phones, batteries and accessories from any carrier are refurbished, recycled and/or sold. Verizon Wireless uses the proceeds to award grants and to donate wireless phones with airtime to non-profit human services and law enforcement agencies to aid survivors of domestic violence.

"Verizon Wireless is pleased to partner with the Mariners to make a difference off the field," said Kelley Kurtzman, regional president for Verizon Wireless. "By assisting domestic violence agencies, HopeLine donations help the entire community."

Verizon Wireless will make a $1,500 donation to the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence to support their domestic violence prevention and community awareness efforts across the state. Coalition volunteers are also assisting with the cell phone drive. Verizon Wireless has awarded more than $25,000 in HopeLine grants to domestic violence agencies in Washington alone in 2003, as well as 200 wireless phones with prepaid airtime.

Wireless phones and equipment can be donated to the HopeLine program year-round at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store across the country.

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 40 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 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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