Verizon Wireless Donates $10,000 To Branches Domestic Violence Shelter In West Virginia

HUNTINGTON, W.VA — Continuing its commitment to domestic violence prevention, Verizon Wireless has awarded a $10,000 grant to Branches Domestic Violence Shelter, a non-profit agency providing shelter to women, children and men who are victims of domestic violence.

The grant from Verizon Wireless was made possible by the Verizon Foundation and the HopeLine® from Verizon phone recycling program, which will help support Branches’ mission of providing a comprehensive program of crisis intervention, education, advocacy and shelter for victims of domestic violence in Huntington.

“We could not be more excited or grateful to receive such a generous grant from Verizon Wireless,” said Amanda Weiss–fund developer at Branches Domestic Violence Shelter. “With the help of organizations like Verizon and its commitment in aiding in the prevention of domestic violence, Branches is making a difference with our local community’s youth. Due to their generosity our ‘Safe Dates’ program can continue in local schools.”

“Verizon Wireless is excited to support such a great organization as Branches,” said Mark Frazier–president, Ohio/Pennsylvania/West Virginia Region, Verizon Wireless. “This shelter has helped so many affected by domestic violence in the Huntington area restore their lives, and we are honored to help them continue their efforts.”

The long-running HopeLine from Verizon program collects no-longer-used wireless phones and equipment in any condition from any service provider. The used phones are either refurbished or recycled. With the funds raised from the sale of the refurbished phones, Verizon Wireless donates wireless phones and airtime to victims, and provides funding and other contributions to non-profit domestic violence shelters and prevention programs across the country.

Since the HopeLine program was launched in 2001, Verizon Wireless has collected more than 7 million phones, awarded millions in cash grants to domestic violence agencies and organizations across the country; distributed more than 90,000 phones with the equivalent of more than 300 million minutes of free wireless service to be used by victims of domestic violence; and kept more than 200 tons of electronics waste and batteries out of landfills.

For more information on the HopeLine program and to learn how to donate a wireless phone, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

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.  

About Branches Domestic Violence Shelter
Branches Domestic Violence Shelter serves clients as a safe haven against further abuse whether physical or emotional for them and their children. Aside from providing housing; Branches offers legal assistance, counseling and case management to ready its clients to become independent. Branches currently has one operational housing shelter in Huntington, WV and five outreach offices located in adjoining counties to provide additional resources. The Verizon grant funds our “Safe Dates” program. This program sends Dating Violence Prevention Specialists into area schools in the five counties Branches serves to teach children ages 11 to 18 about dating violence and how to prevent it.

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