Verizon Awards $30,000 in Grants to Aid Flood Victims in Minnesota and North Dakota

NEW YORK - Verizon has awarded a total of $30,000 in grants to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army to support efforts to assist those affected by the recent flooding in Minnesota and North Dakota.

"As a leading provider of wireless communications services in North Dakota and Minnesota, we are providing these relief agencies with much-needed monetary support to assist those who have been impacted by this year's record floods," said Nancy Clark, president - Great Plains region, Verizon Wireless. "Also, Verizon Wireless assisted government agencies and first responders with more than 450 wireless phones and modems for essential communications needs and added in-building coverage at two Red Cross shelter locations. We stand ready to continue our assistance as the waters recede."

The Verizon Foundation is donating $15,000 to the American Red Cross and $15,000 to the Salvation Army.

In what is expected to be a lengthy relief operation in the affected areas, more than 800 Red Cross volunteers from 45 states have been providing shelter and emotional support to evacuees and nourishment to sandbaggers and those patrolling levees.

"The Red Cross will keep shelters open as long as needed, in addition to providing mobile feeding and mental health support to those affected by the flood," said Sherri Thomsen, the organization's regional executive director.  "In the days and weeks to come, the Red Cross will be coordinating with emergency officials and local community partners to help residents impacted by the flood get back on their feet."

Salvation Army volunteers and staff are providing assistance to flood victims and sandbaggers at multiple locations. So far, the Salvation Army has served more than 75,000 meals to residents in the Fargo/Moorhead area of North Dakota. The Salvation Army is also providing social services including hygiene kits, gas vouchers and clothing to many in the affected areas.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2008, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $68 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an additional $26 million in combined contributions to nonprofits.  Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 80 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 224,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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