New York City Mayor's Office To Combat Domestic Violence And Verizon Wireless Launch Phone Recycling Drive

New York City Mayor's Office To Combat Domestic Violence And Verizon Wireless Launch Phone Recycling Drive

Verizon Wireless HopeLine Program Donates 250 Phones To Assist Victims

October 8, 2002
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NEW YORK, NY-

The Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence today announced a citywide wireless phone recycling drive, in partnership with Verizon Wireless, to benefit victims of domestic violence and help dispose of old wireless phones in an environmentally-safe way. Commissioner Yolanda Jimenez kicked off the drive today at the Verizon Wireless Communications Store on West 57th Street, one of 18 company stores throughout the five boroughs that will serve as collection points for the drive.

To urge New Yorkers to donate their old wireless phones and underscore the importance of the drive, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, NY Jets linebacker Sam Cowart, and members of the Spanish merengue band Oro Solido have taped public service announcements that will air on New York radio stations throughout October, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

As a partner in the drive, Verizon Wireless donated 250 wireless phones specially programmed to dial 9-1-1 and the City's domestic violence hotline in an emergency. The Mayor's Office To Combat Domestic Violence will distribute the phones to families at risk.

"Recycling old cell phones is one of the many ways New Yorkers can join in the fight against domestic violence," Jimenez said. "The City offers a variety of services to victims and their children, but this recycling drive makes it possible for thousands of people to help."

During October, old, unused wireless phones may be dropped off at any of the 18 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the City's five boroughs. The phones will be refurbished or sold through the company's HopeLine^SM Recycling Program, and either phones or cash will be donated to non-profit domestic violence agencies throughout the country. All wireless phone models from any carrier will be accepted. Tax-deductible receipts are available at the stores.

"Verizon Wireless is pleased to join the City of New York in helping victims of domestic violence," said Charles Hand, president of Verizon Wireless' New York Metro Region. "These women are survivors from every walk of life who deserve all the support and assistance we can give them. We are proud to provide resources that can help these women rebuild their lives."

Domestic violence prevention and education is Verizon Wireless' chief philanthropic focus. Through its signature community program, HopeLine, the company provides free voice mailboxes and emergency phones to victims residing in shelters and to law enforcement agencies to distribute to women at risk. As a result of HopeLine and related phone recycling programs, the company has collected more than 790,000 used wireless phones for the benefit of domestic violence victims and advocacy groups, including nearly 50,000 wireless handsets in the New York Metro area. For additional information, customers may also visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

The Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence formulates policies and programs relating to all aspects of domestic violence, raises public awareness, and coordinates direct service provision among city agencies and local community-based organizations. This year alone, nearly six victims a month lost their lives due to a domestic-related incident. As of October 3, 2002, 56 men, women and children lost their lives to family-related violence. In 2001, the New York City Police department responded to more than 230,000 domestic violence incidents.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 30.3 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.

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