Verizon Wireless Introduces HopeLine^SM Phone Recycling Program In Buffalo New York To Benefit Haven House

Verizon Wireless Introduces HopeLine^SM Phone Recycling Program In Buffalo New York To Benefit Haven House

To Help Fight Domestic Violence, Customers Encouraged to Donate Wireless Phones No Longer in Use at the Company's Southtowns Plaza Store

April 27, 2002

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BUFFALO, NY

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Beginning tomorrow, domestic violence victims and prevention organizations will benefit from the introduction of Verizon Wireless' national HopeLine^SM phone recycling program in the Buffalo area. A month-long used phone collection drive begins this Sunday, April 28, at the company's Communications Store in the Southtowns Plaza in Hamburg, and will benefit Haven House.

The public is encouraged to join the recycling effort to ensure HopeLine can benefit as many domestic violence victims as possible. Wireless phones no longer in use can be dropped off at the Southtowns Plaza store, where the phone drive will kick off at a special introduction event Sunday from 2-4 p.m. The Buffalo Sabres will be on hand with giveaway items and the event will be broadcast by WKSE-FM.

In addition, for every 10 phones collected during the month-long phone drive, Verizon Wireless will donate one wireless phone to Haven House. The wireless carrier has pledged a minimum of 10 phones to the organization.

All phones collected will be refurbished, recycled or sold. Proceeds (including phones, service and cash) are donated to non-profit domestic violence shelters and advocacy organizations. Phone donations may be tax-deductible.

"Many of us have an old wireless phone or two lying around the house," said John Palmer, president of Verizon Wireless' Upstate New York Region. "What better way to get a start on your spring cleaning and potentially save a person's life than to donate wireless phones no longer in use to fight domestic violence?"

In addition to phone recycling, the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program consists of:

• Donations of refurbished wireless phones and voice mailboxes to women at domestic violence shelters
• Cash donations to shelters to help women in transition

People who are unable to get to the Southtowns Plaza store are encouraged to donate their used phones directly to the HopeLine program. Wireless phones can be sent to:

HopeLine Program
c/o Verizon Wireless
1776 East Ellsworth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program was created in 1995 to put wireless products and services to work to combat domestic violence. A wireless phone can be a lifeline to help for a domestic violence victim who finds herself in a dangerous or threatening situation. Last year alone, the company donated more than 4,000 phones and $350,000 to this cause nationwide.

For more information about HopeLine, customers can call 1-800-426-2790 between
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM EST Monday through Saturday, and between 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST on Sunday. Customers can also visit the Web at 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 30 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 http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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