Verizon Wireless Teams Up With The Buffalo Bills To End Domestic Violence In New York

BUFFALO, NY — Verizon Wireless and the Buffalo Bills will collect no-longer-used wireless phones to benefit victims of domestic violence at this Sunday's Bills game versus the San Diego Chargers. Through Verizon Wireless' HopeLine® program, these phones will be refurbished and recycled or sold. Proceeds will be used to purchase wireless phones for domestic violence victims to use in emergency or threatening situations. HopeLine also makes financial grants to domestic violence organizations. This is the eighth year the Bills and Verizon Wireless have teamed up to fight domestic violence.

Bills linebacker and new HopeLine spokesperson, Kawika Mitchell, encourages fans to bring their old wireless phones to the game and deposit them in collection bins at any of the 10 gates as they enter Ralph Wilson Stadium. The first 1,000 fans to donate a phone will receive a poster featuring Mitchell. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. Gates open at 11:30 a.m.

Prior to kickoff, the eighth annual HopeLine Award Ceremony will take place. The award will acknowledge Cindy Manne of Catholic Charities in Kenmore and Carole Wink of Chances and Changes, Inc. of Livingston County, who both have assisted victims of this tragedy within their communities. Manne and Wink will be presented with plaques honoring their efforts and $2,500 will be donated on their behalf to both Catholic Charities and Chances and Changes, Inc.

"By doing something as simple as donating a wireless phone you no longer use, you can truly make a difference for a victim of domestic violence," said Marquett Smith, president of Verizon Wireless' Upstate New York region. "HopeLine focuses on helping our communities prevent domestic violence, and we are pleased to have this opportunity to use wireless technology for this important purpose."

"I'm proud to be involved with HopeLine and hope to make a difference," said Mitchell. "With support from our fans, we can give victims of domestic violence a lifeline to help in an emergency and work together to bring an end to this serious community issue. By simply donating a used phone either at the game this Sunday, or anytime at any Verizon Wireless location, you are helping to open the lines of communication and potentially save lives."

Verizon Wireless, a recognized corporate leader in the fight against domestic violence, works to combat domestic violence and raise awareness of the issue through the company's HopeLine program. Marking its 13th year in 2008, HopeLine collects wireless phones and accessories from any wireless service provider, and then refurbishes the phones or recycles them in an environmentally friendly way. Proceeds from the HopeLine program benefit victims of domestic violence and non-profit advocacy agencies, providing the essential communication tools of wireless phones and wireless services, and financial grants. Phone donations are accepted at all Verizon Wireless stores across the country. For additional information, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 68.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 70,000 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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