Verizon Wireless To Donate $10,000 To Anna Marie's Alliance Domestic Violence Program In Minnesota

ST. CLOUD, MN — Verizon Wireless today announced it will donate $10,000 to Anna Marie's Alliance, a St. Cloud-area, 24-hour emergency shelter for battered women and their children. The check presentation will take place on Aug. 24 at the company's relocated Communications Store at 3701 West Division St. in St. Cloud at 8:30 a.m.

The donation, made through Verizon Wireless' HopeLine® program, is based on a challenge issued on Earth Day (April 22) by Mayor John Ellenbecker for St. Cloud residents to donate their no-longer-used wireless handsets to help domestic violence survivors and preserve the environment. The drive, held from April 22 through July 15, raised more than 2,200 handsets-2,000 of them matched with a $5 donation from Verizon Wireless.

Through the award-winning Verizon Wireless HopeLine program, donated handsets 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.

"This generous Verizon Wireless cash donation will help us double our space and enhance our daily activities for the children of domestic violence survivors at Anna Marie's shelter," said Maxine M. Barnett, executive director of Anna Marie's Alliance. "Currently, our space is inadequate to meet their needs. This gift will help us provide developmental programs for the children while their mothers are preparing to re-enter the workforce. This is an investment in the well-being of St. Cloud area families for years to come."

Cris Carmon, Verizon Wireless district manager for retail sales, will present the check to Barnett at a wire-cutting ceremony during a grand opening celebration of Verizon Wireless' relocated Communications Store. Attending the ceremony will be Carolyn Garvin, St. Cloud City Council President, Chuck Rau, incoming chair of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, Chamber members, and Julie Frana, Verizon Wireless store manager.

"Verizon Wireless has a long-standing commitment to help survivors of domestic violence and their families," said Nancy B. Clark, president—Great Plains Region, Verizon Wireless. "We would like to thank all of the individuals who donated handsets during the St. Cloud drive to benefit Anna Marie's Alliance."

The new St. Cloud store will continue its grand opening celebration throughout the weekend of Aug. 28. The new store hours are: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.—8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.—7 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m.—6 p.m.

To contact the store, call (320) 240-1800. For more information about HopeLine, call 1-800-426-2790 or visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 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 preview and request 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 HopeLine
2005 marks the 10 year anniversary of the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program, which puts wireless products and services to work to combat domestic violence. Today, HopeLine collects wireless phones and accessories from any wireless carrier and refurbishes or recycles them with proceeds benefiting victims of domestic violence. The environmentally friendly HopeLine Program also provides victims with essential communication tools — wireless phones and wireless services, including voicemail and pre-paid wireless minutes. Donations are accepted at all 1, 900-plus Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country. For additional information, customers can visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

About Anna Marie's Alliance
Anna Marie's provides 24-hour emergency shelter for battered women and their children. Located in St. Cloud, Minn., Anna Marie's is a safe place where victims receive information, referral and advocacy services. The 36-bed facility serves the nine-county region of Benton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties. Other programs and services include the Jill Eckhoff Transitional House, the Hospital Based Advocacy Program, Children and Youth Services, and Criminal Justice Intervention.

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