Wireless Technology Helps to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence in New York

ORANGEBURG, NY — Continuing its commitment to domestic violence prevention and awareness, Verizon Wireless recently donated five wireless phones and airtime to Sanctuary for Families, a leading domestic violence agency in the Bronx.

The donation was made possible through the company's HopeLine® Phone Recycling Program. No-longer-used wireless phones, collected at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores throughout the New York Metro area, are refurbished, recycled or sold and the proceeds are donated to domestic violence advocacy groups or used to purchase wireless phones for victims. Phones that cannot be refurbished are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

Sanctuary for Families will lend the phones to women at risk to call for help in an emergency and to help them make the phone calls necessary to rebuild their lives. Since its founding in 1984, Sanctuary for Families has become a recognized model among domestic violence agencies for providing a range of culturally sensitive and integrated services.

Domestic violence prevention and education also is Verizon Wireless' chief community focus. "No offense shakes individual security more than violence in the home," said Charles Hand, president of Verizon Wireless' New York Metro Region. "At Verizon Wireless, we continue to be humbled by the strength of domestic violence survivors and want to assist them in the life-rebuilding process."

Verizon Wireless created its HopeLine program 10 years ago to put the company's wireless products and services to work to help victims of domestic violence enhance their safety. In addition to free phones, service and voice mailboxes for victims, HopeLine includes funding for non-profit domestic violence organizations; community and corporate awareness initiatives; and a bilingual "Invest In Yourself" program designed to help prepare survivors to re-enter the workforce. For additional information, visit the HopeLine Web site at 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 www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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