Verizon Wireless Launches 'Kids in Need Holiday Drive'

Verizon Wireless Launches 'Kids in Need Holiday Drive'

Company Collecting Toys, Games & Books for Local Domestic Violence Shelters Across New England

November 19, 2001

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BOSTON, MA

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To make the holidays a little brighter for children living in domestic violence shelters, Verizon Wireless is conducting a 'Kids In Need Holiday Drive' at each of its 50 Communications Stores throughout New England. Each Communications Store has adopted a local domestic violence shelter in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont to collect games, toys and books.

From November 18th through December 16th, local Verizon Wireless Communications Stores will serve as a drop off point for the Kids In Need Holiday Drive. All items collected will be donated to local shelters. Verizon Wireless has chosen and organized this outreach program as a part of the company's continued community relation's focus on domestic violence and its effects on families nationwide.

"Unfortunately there are many children who live in shelters with their mothers, having fled their home because of domestic abuse. When they flee, most children just have the clothes on their back, often leaving a favorite toy, game or book behind," said Bob Stott, President of the New England region for Verizon Wireless. "As a company we have a long-standing commitment of providing whatever assistance we can to victims of domestic violence. This is one more way we can help, specifically aiding the youngest victims of domestic violence."

Verizon Wireless embraces the philosophy of commitment to the community and to the workplace. Through its HopeLinesm program, the company focuses primarily on putting wireless products and services to work to combat domestic violence. The company understands domestic violence is an epidemic that devastates neighbors, friends and co-workers. As such, it dedicates its resources to both the prevention of domestic violence and the life-rebuilding process. So far this year, Verizon Wireless has donated more than 3,500 wireless phones and airtime, and more than $350,000 in monetary and other contributions to domestic violence shelters and prevention programs across the country.

Toys, games and books will be accepted at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in New England during each store's regular hours. Hours vary by location.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with more than 28.7 million wireless voice and data customers. The coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD), including Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular and GTE Wireless. Verizon Wireless has a footprint covering more than 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 97 of the top 100 U.S. markets. The company, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 40,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.