Georgians' Call To Action: Donate Old Cell Phones For Domestic Violence Awareness Month

ALPHARETTA, GA — During the next 30-minutes, approximately 200 women in Georgia will be abused by someone they love. In recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, is continuing its efforts to help victims of domestic violence in Georgia and encouraging residents to donate any no-longer-used cell phone to the company's HopeLine^® program.

Verizon Wireless is a recognized corporate leader in the ongoing domestic violence awareness campaign. Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program turns unused wireless phones into support for victims of domestic violence. Wireless phones, batteries and accessories, in any condition from any wireless service provider, are collected at Verizon Wireless stores nationwide and across Georgia. Phones are refurbished or recycled, and funds are used to purchase new wireless phones with airtime for victims or used to fund prevention and awareness programs. To donate phones, go to any Verizon Wireless store or they can be mailed to:

Verizon Wireless HopeLine
c/o ReCellular Inc
2555 Bishop Circle W.
Dexter, MI 48130

Since the program's inception in 2001, Verizon Wireless collected more than 4 million phones, and donated more than $4 million in cash grants to shelters and other organizations working to support victims of domestic violence.

Verizon Wireless encourages any victim or anyone looking for information on the issue to dial #HOPE (#4673) from any Verizon Wireless phone. Callers will be instantly connected to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for professional and confidential help. The call is toll and airtime free. The Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can provide its services in more than 140 languages.

"Since its inception, the #HOPE Hotline and wireless technology have become a vital link for emergency and support services in times of crisis, support and recovery," said Jeff Mango, president, Verizon Wireless Georgia/Alabama Region. "The HopeLine phone recycling program has placed the value of wireless technology into the hands of millions of women in dangerous situations. I encourage all Georgians to clean out their drawers and donate to this life-changing program. HopeLine provides an environmentally safe alternative to discarding handsets, and does a very valuable community service at the same time. We will remain committed to leading the way by giving grants and wireless phones to organizations right here in Georgia."

A few facts about domestic violence:

• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women in the United States - more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
• Georgia ranks seventh in the nation in the rate of women killed by men.
• The costs to U.S. businesses of intimate partner violence exceed $5.8 billion each year in absenteeism, lower productivity, turnover and safety costs - $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health care services.
• Domestic violence claims at least eight million workdays each year, or the equivalent of 32,000 full-time jobs.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 62.1 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 67,000 employees nationwide. The company 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
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 any Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country. For additional information, customers can also visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

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