NOBLE's Georgia Chapter Collects Hundreds Of Phones And Receives HopeLine Law Enforcement Partnership Award From Verizon Wireless

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and NORFOLK, VA — Verizon Wireless, a corporate leader in domestic violence awareness, presented the Georgia Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) with a HopeLine® Law Enforcement Partnership Award today at NOBLE’s annual conference in Virginia. The HopeLine award honors the efforts of public safety officials who are committed to reducing domestic violence, providing support to victims, raising awareness of the issue and educating communities about domestic violence.

The Georgia Chapter was recognized for its participation in a nationwide phone collection drive organized by NOBLE. Thanks to the generosity of NOBLE members, law enforcement agencies across the state of Georgia and the general public, the Georgia Chapter collected several hundred no-longer-used wireless phones.

In honor of the Georgia Chapter’s efforts, Verizon Wireless will donate $2,500 to the Savannah Area Family Emergency (S.A.F.E.) Shelter. S.A.F.E. Shelter provides temporary shelter and services to abused women and their children and supports prevention education, increased public awareness and legislation designed to decrease domestic violence.

“As first responders, we witness the effects of domestic violence first-hand,” said Joseph A. McMillan, national president of NOBLE. “Our partnership with Verizon Wireless and our nationwide phone collection drive enabled us to help place valuable wireless phones in victims’ hands, phones they can use to contact law enforcement or domestic violence hotlines in emergency situations. NOBLE is proud to have our efforts recognized and we look forward to continuing our work with Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program.”

HopeLine accepts wireless phones and accessories in any condition from any carrier for reuse and recycling at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide or via mail (postage-paid label available at www.verizonwireless.com/hopelinemailinglabel). Phones given to HopeLine that can be refurbished are sold for reuse, and those without value are disposed of in an environmentally sound way. Proceeds from the HopeLine program are used to provide wireless phones and cash grants to local shelters and non-profit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention and awareness.

Since the HopeLine program was created in 1995, Verizon Wireless has supported the efforts of law enforcement and government agencies in communities nationwide. Verizon Wireless’ support includes:

• Donating wireless phones and service, high-speed Mobile Broadband Internet service and cash grants to prosecutors, detectives and other personnel in local government domestic violence units
• Sponsoring phone collection drives in cooperation with local sheriff and police departments
• Partnering with several states’ Attorneys General offices to create campaigns around elder abuse, teen dating and other domestic violence issues

Previous HopeLine Law Enforcement Partnership Award honorees include the South Florida Chapter of NOBLE and, most recently. Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti for his efforts against domestic violence in South Florida. To read about previous award recipients and learn more about HopeLine, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving 87.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 87,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit 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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