Verizon Wireless and the Portland Trail Blazers Team up to Provide a HopeLine for Victims of Domestic Violence

PORTLAND, OR — Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless provider, and the Portland Trail Blazers are teaming with fans to help curb domestic violence in the community. At the Blazers November 13 game at the Rose Garden fans who donate a used wireless phone and/or accessory to the Verizon Wireless HopeLine^SM program will be awarded a free pair of tickets to a future Blazers game at the Rose Garden.

Through the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program, used wireless handsets, batteries and accessories from any carrier are refurbished, recycled and/or sold. Proceeds are used to fund grants for non-profit domestic violence advocacy organizations and to purchase wireless phones for use by victims.

"Together with the Portland Trail Blazers, we're extending the impact of a home court advantage out into the community," said Kelley Kurtzman, regional president for Verizon Wireless. "Not only are we helping victims of domestic violence, we are doing the right thing for our environment by keeping these old phones out of our landfills."

During the past two years the company has awarded more than $30,000 in HopeLine grants and 150 wireless phones to Oregon domestic violence agencies.

Wireless phones and equipment donations can also be donated to the HopeLine program year-round at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store across the country. Tax receipts are available.

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 36 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Reporters and editors can find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.  

####