Verizon Wireless Marks 10-Year Anniversary of HopeLine Program With $5,000 Donation to Merryman Domestic Crisis Center

PADUCAH, KY — To mark the 10th anniversary of its HopeLine® program, Verizon Wireless today announced a $5,000 gift to the Merryman Domestic Crisis Center in Paducah. The center will use the donation to establish a new program called Emotions into Positive Motion for women and children who rely on the organization for legal counseling and other support services.

Emotions into Positive Motion will offer women and children victimized by domestic abuse a variety of programs geared toward helping them with the emotional healing process. Domestic violence survivors will be able to participate in special drama, arts and yoga classes. Children of domestic violence survivors will be encouraged to express their emotions through a variety of outlets, including educational games, books, art projects and field trips.

"We are so grateful to Verizon Wireless for helping us get Emotions into Positive Motion up and running," said Ashley Small, assistant director, Merryman Domestic Crisis Center. "This new, unique program will enable us to help domestic violence survivors and our youngest clients-their children-learn to deal with their emotions in a positive manner."

Verizon Wireless created its award-winning HopeLine program to put wireless products and services to work to combat domestic violence and raise awareness of the issue. Through the program, the company collects no-longer-used wireless phones and equipment from any vendor. Most of the donated phones and equipment are refurbished and sold with proceeds going to support domestic violence awareness and prevention programs. Any remaining phones are recycled in an environmentally friendly way.

In 2004, consumers nationwide donated three-quarters of a million phones to HopeLine, up more than 35 percent from the previous year, and bringing the total to nearly 2 million since the program's national phone collection and recycling efforts began in 2001.

"Over the past decade, HopeLine has grown significantly and along the way has helped so many survivors-keeping them safe and helping them rebuild their lives," said Greg Haller, president—Kentucky/Indiana/Michigan Region, Verizon Wireless. "We're thankful to our customers and the countless other consumers, organizations and businesses that have participated in the program and helped make possible gifts like this one pledged to Merryman Domestic Crisis Center."

Wireless phones and equipment can be donated to the HopeLine program at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide, including the Paducah location at 2769 West Park Dr. For more information about HopeLine, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, N.J., 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 and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Merryman Domestic Crisis Center
Merryman Domestic Crisis Center is a 24-bed emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence. Its mission is to provide services and support so that families and individuals can be free from domestic violence. Its vision is to have an educated community that is intolerant of domestic violence and provides resources and support for victims.

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