Verizon Supports 177 Hawaii Nonprofit Groups to Promote Literacy, Technology and Work Force Development

HONOLULU - Verizon reaffirmed its commitment to the communities that the company serves in Hawaii by providing grants in 2003 for a broad range of literacy, work force development, technology and human service programs.

Combined with local employee contributions, Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, last year donated more than $800,000 to nonprofit groups in Hawaii. Nationwide, the foundation donated about $70 million to worthy causes and charities, including matching nearly $14 million in donations from employees.

"We believe in investing in our communities through strategic partnerships with organizations that support education and literacy, technology education, and health and human services," said Verizon Hawaii President Mel Horikami. "Verizon's grants continue to underscore our long-standing goal of improving the communities we serve and our commitment to providing excellent service to our customers."

Recipients of major grants in 2003 included:

• The Blood Bank of Hawaii -- $20,000 to establish a blood-testing laboratory for local infectious diseases. The new laboratory will help expedite testing for hospitals in emergencies, increase the blood bank's self-sufficiency and improve local disaster readiness.

• Kauai Children's Discovery Museum -- $5,000 to support Books Alive!, a unique program that collaborates with public schools, parents and local artists to encourage children's love for reading by creating musical plays for selected stories.

• Hawaii Library Foundation -- $10,000 to underwrite part of the Computer Assisted Learning Center - Hilo's Equipped for the Future project that teaches basic and computer skills needed in today's competitive job market.

• Hawaii Primary Care Association -- $15,000 to develop a Web-based application for children and pregnant women that encourages electronic enrollment of low-income families into Hawaii's QUEST and Medicaid programs.

In addition, literacy grants went to Aliiolani Elementary; American Association of Christian Schools; Easter Seals of Hawaii; Executive Women International; Friends of the Library of Hawaii; Friends of the Waimanalo Library; Hawaii Army Museum; Hawaii Literacy Inc.; Hawaii Public Television Foundation; Hui Malama Learning Center; Read Aloud America Inc.; Read to Me International Foundation; and Royal School, among others.

In support of technology education, Verizon also awarded grants to Aloha Consumer Credit Counseling; American Red Cross; Children's Discovery Center; Enterprise Honolulu; Hawaii Alliance for Arts Education; Hawaii Nature Center; Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii; Marimed Foundation for Island Healthcare; Special Olympics Hawaii; Winners Camp Foundation; and Young Women's Christian Association.

Verizon recognized the importance of local work force development programs by awarding grants to Bishop Museum; Faith Action for Community Equity; Goodwill Industries of Hawaii; Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Foundation; Hawaii Community Foundation; Hawaii Community Services Council; Hawaii Educational Networking Consortium; Hawaii Island Economic Development Board; Hawaii Pacific University; Hawaii Technology Institute; Hawaiian Academy of Science; Maui Economic Development Board; Oahu Mathematics League; Ohana Komputer; Palama Settlement; St. Andrews Priory School; The Mediation Center of the Pacific; and U.S. Small Business Administration.

Other grant recipients include Adopt a Teacher Foundation; American Diabetes Association; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu; Child and Family Service; Hawaii International Film Festival; Hawaii Foodbank; Kamaaina Care; and St. Francis Hospice.

In addition to the Verizon Foundation grants, 121 nonprofit agencies received more than $160,000 through contributions from Verizon Hawaii employees. The Verizon Foundation's Verizon Volunteers program encourages employees to volunteer in their communities and provides matching gifts to nonprofit organizations.

Verizon Foundation ranks as one of the largest corporate foundations in America, providing grants and developing programs to support the communities where Verizon does business. The foundation places special emphasis on literacy, work force development and the use of technology for the benefit of all people. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

Verizon Communications

A Fortune 10 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $68 billion in revenues. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. Verizon's international presence includes wireline and wireless communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

####