Verizon Foundation Awards $10,000 Grant to 'Friends of Abused Families'

WEST BEND, Wis. - The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, today awarded Friends of Abused Families of West Bend a $10,000 grant to support programs aimed at combating domestic violence in Washington County and educating the general public about the problem.

Chris Beukema, manager of the new Verizon Wireless Communications store here, presented the donation to Lisa Krenke, executive director of Friends of Abused Families, at a luncheon at the store, at 940 Paradise Drive. Members of the West Bend Chamber of Commerce and other business and community leaders also attended.

Friends of Abused Families (FRIENDS) is a private, nonprofit organization that strives to eliminate domestic violence and sexual assault by providing community leadership, expertise in crisis intervention services and prevention education. Since the organization was incorporated in 1977, FRIENDS has remained the only provider of domestic violence and sexual assault service in Washington County. The grant from the Verizon Foundation will help fund the organization's Emergency Shelter and Crisis Intervention Program, which includes a 24-hour crisis line.

"We thank the Verizon Foundation for giving us the opportunity to continue to fulfill our mission," said Krenke. "With these funds, we can continue to serve the residents of West Bend and the surrounding community."

In addition to the grant, Verizon Wireless will hold a wireless phone drive to further benefit Friends of Abused Families. From Nov. 15 through Dec. 31, consumers can bring their no-longer-used wireless phones to the Verizon Wireless Communications store here and donate them to Verizon Wireless' HopeLine^® program.  For every phone collected during the phone drive, Verizon Wireless will donate an additional $1 to Friends of Abused Families.

"I highly encourage members of the West Bend business community to participate in this communitywide call to action," said Craig Farell, executive director of the West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce. "Every phone collected will equate to much-needed funds for Friends of Abused Families. I encourage everyone in the greater West Bend community to clean out your closets and drawers and donate as many phones as you can to this worthy cause."

Through Verizon Wireless' award-winning HopeLine program, the company collects no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories from any wireless service provider. Most of the donated phones and equipment are refurbished and sold, with proceeds going to support domestic violence awareness and prevention programs, including those in Wisconsin. Any remaining phones are recycled in an environmentally friendly way.

Since going national in 2001, Verizon Wireless HopeLine has donated more than $9 million in financial grants, phones and services, including the donation of more than 30,000 wireless phones to benefit those who have suffered in abusive relationships. In addition, HopeLine has collected nearly 3 million phones -- more than 850,000 in 2005 alone -- to help those affected by domestic violence.

Verizon delivers technology that touches life. The Verizon Foundation uses that technology and the foundation's financial resources to improve literacy and K-12 education; to support victims of domestic violence; and improve the delivery of health care.  In 2005, the foundation awarded more than $74 million in grants to charitable and nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also supports Verizon Volunteers, which is one of the largest employee volunteer programs in the United States with 2 million hours of community service since 2000 and $35.6 million in combined contributions to nonprofits in 2005 alone. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

About Verizon Communications Inc.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a 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 Business operates one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks.  Verizon Telecom is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers.  Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 56.7 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., 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. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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