Hometown Holiday Toy And Book Drive To Benefit Children Of Domestic Violence Survivors In Bay And Arenac Counties In Michigan

BAY CITY, 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 Bay Area Women’s Center, a domestic violence organization serving Bay and Arenac counties.

Donations of new toys and books can be made now through Friday, December 10, at the Verizon Wireless Communications Store in Bay City at 3505 Wilder Road. The store is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations can also be made at The Cellular Connection, a Verizon Wireless authorized retailer in Standish. The Cellular Connection is located at 529 South Main Street and is open Monday through, Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 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.

“There is nothing better than a child’s smile during the holiday season,” said Regina Turner, executive director of the Bay Area Women’s Center. “Verizon Wireless is a longtime champion to survivors of domestic abuse, and we are pleased and honored that Verizon Wireless and its customers are giving some joy to people in our community who need it most.”

Since 1975, the Bay Area Women’s Center has provided 24-hour crisis intervention services, individual and support group counseling, emergency shelter and transitional housing assistance to women and children who are victims of domestic or sexual violence. The Center’s children’s program serves both residential and non-residential children who are affected by domestic and sexual violence.

“We hope these donations put a smile on the face of every child who receives a gift,” said Steve Henne, district manager-retail sales, Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in mid-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 local residents 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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