Dave Matthews Band Joins Verizon Reads in Unlocking the Promise of Literacy as Part of Island Getaway

NEW YORK - Dave Matthews Band has teamed up with Verizon Reads for a two-day book drive during the Dave Matthews Band Island Getaway presented by Verizon at picturesque Randall's Island, N.Y., the weekend of July 30-31.

Verizon Reads, a public charity, is donating 50,000 books during the event as a result of an association with Scholastic, Inc., global children's publishing and media company. A literacy partner of Verizon Reads, New York Reads will assist in the distribution of 40,000 books to 40 nonprofit organizations, including more than a dozen public schools, in each of New York's five boroughs. Another 10,000 books will be sent to Dave Matthews Band's home state, where they will be distributed by the Virginia Literacy Foundation.

"The lack of access to books has been noted as a leading cause of illiteracy among children in America," explained Andrew Brown, president - Verizon Reads. "While it is essential to highlight illiteracy, Verizon Reads, Dave Matthews Band and Clear Channel Entertainment together are unlocking the promise of literacy by putting books in the hands of children who otherwise might not have access to these essential tools for academic and personal development."

Verizon volunteers will be on hand during the two-day Island Getaway assisting with book donations and distributions as part of the Verizon Reads initiative, which collected and helped to distribute more than 1 million books in 2004.

Dave Matthews Band Island Getaway is presented by Verizon and is a collaboration of Ron Delsener Presents, a division of Clear Channel Music; Dave Matthews Band; and branding specialists Clear Channel Entertainment Properties. Leveraging its extensive artist relationships and production resources, Ron Delsener Presents secured the talent lineup and is producing the weekend event. Clear Channel Entertainment Properties created and marketed the custom-branded entertainment opportunity for sponsors.

Verizon is committed to championing literacy in America. The company conducts a national campaign to increase community awareness and to generate additional funding and support for literacy programs that serve adults, children and families. Working under the banner of Verizon Reads, a public charity, the award-winning philanthropy program reaches out to the more than 40 million Americans who have low literacy skills. For more information on Verizon Reads, visit www.VerizonReads.net.

With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of more than 214,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom provides customers based in 28 states with wireline and other telecommunications services, including broadband. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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