Verizon Donates Pajamas, Books to 14 West Virginia Nonprofit Organizations Serving Needy Children

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Many needy children across the Mountain State will stay warm and snug in their beds this winter, thanks to a pajama-and-book-collection drive Verizon employees across West Virginia conducted over the last several weeks.  In all, employees collected nearly 300 pairs of pajamas and nearly 250 books, which will be donated to 14 nonprofit organizations across the state serving children in shelters and group homes.

Verizon employees, members of the Telecom Pioneers and the employee resource group CITE (Consortium of Information and Telecommunications Executives) conducted the two-week campaign as part of The Pajama Program, a national nonprofit children's charity that provides new, warm pajamas and books to needy children nationwide, many of whom are waiting to be adopted.

"This was a great opportunity for Verizon employees to show their generosity and to help promote literacy among children in need," said Verizon employee and campaign coordinator Stephanie Davis.  "We're hopeful that what we've done here will help make a difference in a young person's life."

The 14 nonprofits organizations across the state receiving the donations are:

• Arthur N. Gustke Child Center, Parkersburg
• Burlington United Methodist Family Service Inc., Oak Hill
• Crittenton Services, Wheeling
• Davis Child Shelter, Charleston
• Huntington Child Shelter, Ona
• Kathleen & John Faltis Child Center, Summersville
• Lewisburg Child Shelter, Lewisburg
• Martinsburg Children's Shelter, Martinsburg
• Miracle Meadows School, Salem
• Paul Miller Home, Northfork
• Romney  Child Shelter, Romney
• Sojourner's Homeless Shelter, Charleston
• Stepping Stones Inc., Lavalette
• West Virginia Children's Home, Elkins

Verizon employees kicked off the Pajama Program campaign on Oct. 23 with a "pajama party,' in which employees wore their favorite pair of pajamas to work.  Employees received awards for best slippers, best pajama ensemble and worst robe.

Collection sites were located at Verizon employees across the state, including Beckley, Bridgeport, Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, Poca and Wheeling.  Employees donated new pajamas and books for infants and for children up to age 17.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a New York-based Dow 30 company, 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 nearly 57 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which operates one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks, and Verizon Telecom, which is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

####