Meadows Music Theater Accepts No-Longer-Used Wireless Phones to Benefit Domestic Violence Victims

HARTFORD, CT — If you attend a concert at The Meadows this season, bring along old wireless phones to donate, and enjoy the show. The phones will be recycled in an environmentally-friendly manner and the proceeds of the recycled phones will help victims of domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a broad societal epidemic that affects family, friends, and co-workers. Understanding the impact domestic violence has, The Meadows, in association with Verizon Wireless, has announced the installation of a HopeLine kiosk designed to accept no-longer-used wireless phones for donation to organizations that work with victims of domestic violence.

This year is the 10th Year Anniversary of the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program. This national phone re-use and recycling program has collected nearly two million wireless phones donated by consumers since 2001. Through these recycling efforts, more than 200 tons of electronics waste and batteries have been kept out of landfills. In the last year alone, Verizon Wireless collected more than half a million used wireless phones to benefit domestic violence victims and advocacy groups and donated over $4 million in monetary and other contributions to domestic violence shelters and prevention programs.

Phones collected at The Meadows HopeLine kiosk, as well at Verizon Wireless Communications stores across the country, are refurbished, recycled, or sold for parts. Wireless phones of any brand or carrier, that are no longer in use, are accepted. Proceeds, in the form of working wireless phones or cash, benefit non-profit domestic violence prevention organizations.

"We know that people who come to the Meadows are part of the cell phone culture, and we're counting on our concert fans not only to recycle their old phones because it's environmentally responsible; it's also a way to support the effort to help victims of domestic violence. We know that domestic violence happens here in Connecticut. Let's not ignore this important social issue. In fact, I'm kicking this off by donating six of my old cell phones to the HopeLine kiosk at The Meadows box office," said Jim Koplik, Founder and CEO of JIM KOPLIK PRESENTS.

"We are very pleased to partner with The Meadows for our Hopeline program in Connecticut to help support victims of domestic violence and curb this widespread epidemic," said Bob Stott, president of the New England Region for Verizon Wireless.

The HopeLine kiosk is located in the lobby of The Meadows, which is open on show days only. For more information about HopeLine 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, 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 and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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