Verizon Wireless Reminds Indiana Nonprofits To Apply For $10,000 HopeLine Grants

GARY, IN — Applications for Verizon Wireless' HopeLine® grants are due from community groups by June 30. Northwest Indiana non-profit groups are eligible to apply if they directly benefit domestic violence survivors and their families or offer programs that raise awareness of and prevent domestic violence, teen dating violence, partner violence, or elder abuse.

Grant applicants must have a 501(c) 3 tax status, and funding requests should not exceed $10,000. Proposals may be submitted in writing to Carolyn Schamberger at Carolyn.Schamberger1@verizonwireless.com.

All applicants will be notified between July 1 and September 30.

Verizon Wireless is a recognized corporate leader for its commitment to preventing domestic violence and raising awareness of the issue. In 2007, Verizon Wireless — along with the Verizon Foundation — donated more than $300,000 in cash grants, phones and airtime to shelters and other organizations in Indiana working to support victims of domestic violence and their families.

"We are here to help those nonprofits that work so hard to combat domestic violence and make our community a safer place to live," said T.J. Fox, president — Northwest Indiana/Illinois/Wisconsin region, Verizon Wireless. "I encourage any organization in Indiana that shares our concern over the impact of domestic violence on families and the overall community to apply for a financial grant from Verizon Wireless."

Domestic violence shelters and other non-profit organizations that assist domestic violence survivors may also submit applications to Verizon Wireless' HopeLine® program for wireless phones and free airtime to be given to domestic violence survivors who are rebuilding their lives.

Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program turns no-longer-used wireless phones into support for victims of domestic violence. Wireless phones, batteries and other accessories are collected at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide and in special collections throughout the year. The phones are either refurbished for reuse or recycled in an environmentally sound way.

Since October 2001, when Verizon Wireless launched its national recycling program, HopeLine has collected more than 4.5 million phones. The program has disposed of nearly 1 million phones in an environmentally sound way and refurbished the remaining phones for resale and reuse. Over the last five years, Verizon Wireless also has distributed more than 60,000 phones with airtime and other features valued at more than $13 million to be used by victims of domestic violence.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 67.2 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: 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.

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