Verizon Wireless' HopeLine Program And The Birmingham Barons Team Up To Honor Local Law Enforcement

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Verizon Wireless has partnered with The Birmingham Barons to recognize local law enforcement by offering any officer and his/her family free admission to the July 21 match up against the Montgomery Biscuits.  “Law Enforcement Appreciation Night at the Barons” is sponsored by Verizon Wireless and its HopeLine Program, which raises phones, funds and awareness for domestic violence prevention and victims’ services.

In addition to free admission for members of law enforcement, patrons who bring a no-longer used wireless phone or accessory to the game to donate to HopeLine will receive a voucher good for admission to any Baron’s home game this season.

During the game, Verizon Wireless will present two local HopeLine grants. The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence will receive a grant for $10,000 to support two initiatives in partnership with the Birmingham Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit.  The unit will use the funds to purchase digital cameras to document domestic assault related injuries and to create “stalker kits” to help victims document offenses by a stalker. In addition, the second annual Sgt. James Jackson HopeLine Grant will be presented to Pathways, a local shelter for women and children.  Verizon named an annual grant of $2,000 in honor of Sgt. Jackson last year. Sgt. Jackson leads the Birmingham Police Department’s Special Victims Unit and works tirelessly to reduce the incidence of domestic violence in Birmingham.

HopeLine puts Verizon’s technology to work in communities by turning no-longer-used wireless phones into support for victims of domestic violence.  Phones given to HopeLine are refurbished and sold, generating grant dollars to help fund education programs, support services and community outreach for non-profit organizations.  Refurbished phones – complete with 3,000 minutes of wireless service – are provided to local domestic violence organizations or local government and law enforcement agencies for use with their domestic violence clients.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 94.2 million retail customers, including 88.8 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 78,000 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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