Indiana First Lady Karen Pence, Indianapolis Colts leading HopeLine collection drives

It’s all hands on deck in Indiana as government and sports leaders leverage their platforms to raise awareness for domestic violence through HopeLine from Verizon. HopeLine has a national goal this year to collect 1 million phones.

First Lady Karen Pence announced this week she is hosting a HopeLine drive with all state agencies for the month of October to assist survivors. The phone drive, launched in conjunction with domestic violence awareness month, will collect no-longer-used cell phones and accessories from any provider for survivors of domestic violence.

“HopeLine from Verizon is an incredible program, and I trust that these donations over the next month will make a noticeable difference for victims of domestic violence across the state,” said First Lady Karen Pence. “I am very grateful for the efforts of state employees. Last year they dropped off 1,200 phones in HopeLine boxes around the government center campus. I am looking forward to watching our progress throughout the month of October as we continue to work together to make a difference and bring awareness to domestic violence.”

Working to engage their fans, the Indianapolis Colts is leading a HopeLine game day collection at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, October 25, 2015. From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., volunteers from Verizon and Coburn Place will collect used cell phones and accessories in any condition from any carrier. Donations will be collected at the Colts Community Collection Stations, presented by Toyota, located outside each Lucas Oil Stadium Gate.

“It’s important that we make this a community effort,” said Dwayne Allen, tight end for the Indianapolis Colts. “The donated old phones that take up space in your junk drawer, garage or basement, are repurposed for cash grants to nonprofits such as Coburn Place. That simple act helps us serve scores of families with transitional and safe housing.”

Donations will help make a critical difference in the lives of domestic violence survivors — including for Coburn Place Safe Haven, a long-term transitional housing facility in Indianapolis where survivors get help to transition back into the community.  Verizon and the Indianapolis Colts will present a $10,000 grant to Coburn Place on the field during half time at the October 25^th game.

HopeLine provides new phones equipped with 3,000 anytime minutes to those in need through participating domestic violence agencies, and give grants to agencies that assist victims and survivors of domestic violence. The donated phones are refurbished and recycled in an environmentally safe way with proceeds going towards the financial support of domestic violence awareness and prevention initiatives.

“The simple act of cleaning out a drawer, basement or garage to find no-longer-used mobile devices is a lifeline for many,” said Lauren Love-Wright, region president for Verizon in Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky. “HopeLine provides assistance to many Hoosier nonprofits in many ways by extending budgets, services and emergency housing and transportation for survivors.”