Hometown Holiday Toy And Book Drive To Benefit Children Of Domestic Violence Survivors In Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI — Verizon Wireless today announced the kickoff of its 2010 Verizon Wireless “Hometown Holiday Toy and Book Drive.” The drive will provide gifts for children living in the emergency shelter at The Diane Peppler Resource Center, a domestic violence organization serving Chippewa, Mackinac and Luce counties.

Donations of new toys and books can be made now through Friday, December 10, at the Team Wireless store, a Verizon Wireless authorized retailer in Sault Ste. Marie, located at 2861 Interstate 75 Business Spur. The store is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Along with new books, donated gifts may include items such as coloring books, crayons, board games, dolls, action figures, video games and video game systems, arts and crafts kits and G-rated DVDs. All donations should be packaged, but unwrapped.

“This is a wonderful way to lift the spirits of the children living in our shelter”, said Doreen Howson, executive director of the Diane Peppler Resource Center. “We are pleased that Verizon Wireless and its customers have come forward to help make their holidays a little brighter this year.”

The Diane Peppler Resource Center provides 24-hour emergency shelter for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The Center also offers comprehensive individual counseling, group counseling, legal and personal advocacy, and resource information on parenting, finances and educational opportunities. The agency is dedicated to empowering survivors to achieve self-sufficient and violence-free lives.

“We hope these donations put a smile on the face of every child who receives a gift,” said David Rapson, district manager-retail sales, Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in northern Michigan. “Verizon Wireless is committed to the communities where our customers and employees live and work. By making a small donation of a new toy or book, people can help make the holiday season special for a child. We invite people in the Sault Ste. Marie area to join us in this important drive.”

About Verizon Wireless in Michigan
In Michigan, Verizon Wireless has more than 2,100 employees and 65 company-owned retail locations in more than 40 cities, including Allen Park, Alpena, Alpine Twp., Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, Battle Creek, Bay City, Brighton, Burton, Canton, Clinton Twp., Dearborn, Detroit, East Lansing, Farmington Hills, Fenton, Flint, Fort Gratiot, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Highland Park, Holland, Jackson, Kentwood, Lake Orion, Lansing, Livonia, Midland, Monroe, Muskegon, Northville, Novi, Okemos, Petoskey, Pontiac, Portage, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Saginaw, St. Clair Shores, St. Joseph, Southfield, Taylor, Traverse City, Troy, Utica, Warren and Westland.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: 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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