New York Women At Risk To Receive Emergency Phones

New York Women At Risk To Receive Emergency Phones

Verizon Wireless Donates Phones to Northern Westchester Shelter

December 2, 2002
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PLEASANTVILLE, NY
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Continuing its commitment to domestic violence prevention and awareness, Verizon Wireless recently donated 10 wireless phones to one of Westchester County, New York's leading domestic violence agencies, the Northern Westchester Shelter. The donation is made possible through Verizon Wireless' HopeLine^SM Program, which uses wireless technology and financial resources for domestic violence prevention and education.

The shelter will lend the phones to women at risk to carry with them to call for help in an emergency. The phones are pre-programmed to dial 9-1-1 and the agency's domestic violence hotline.

"Having wireless phones in hand will allow women in threatening situations to go about their day-to-day lives with less fear," said Carlla Horton, executive director for the Northern Westchester Shelter. "They can go to work and take their children to school secure in the knowledge that if the abuser appears, they can call for help."

Domestic violence prevention and education is Verizon Wireless' chief community focus. Through its signature program, HopeLine, the company provides free voicemail boxes and emergency phones to victims residing in shelters and to law enforcement agencies to distribute to women at risk.

"No offense shakes individual security more than violence in the home, "said Charles Hand, president of Verizon Wireless' New York Metro Region. "At Verizon Wireless, we continue to be humbled by the strength of domestic violence survivors and proud to provide them with resources that can help them rebuild their lives."

Through its Hopeline Recycling Program, the company collects used wireless phones to be refurbished, recycled or sold. Proceeds are donated to domestic violence advocacy groups or used to purchase phones for victims. As a result of HopeLine and related phone recycling programs the company has organized since 1995, Verizon Wireless has collected more than 850,000 used wireless phones for the benefit of domestic violence victims, including more than 60,000 wireless handsets in the New York Metro area. Donations are accepted at all 66 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the New York Metro area. For store locations and additional information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

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 31.5 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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