Virginia Public Encouraged To Donate Used Wireless Phones To Benefit Children Affected By Domestic Violence

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — For most families, shopping for back-to-school clothes is a late summer ritual. For area children living in domestic violence shelters, however, a back-to-school wardrobe is just another unattainable dream. This summer, the company, through its national phone recycling program, HopeLine®, is asking the public to help dreams become reality through one simple act: the donation of a no-longer-used wireless phone.

For the second year in a row, Verizon Wireless, Cellar Door Concerts and Virginia Beach's Samaritan House are joining forces to urge music fans to donate their no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater box office and at local company Communications Stores. Verizon Wireless will contribute $5 for each wireless phone collected, up to $7,500, to be donated to the Virginia Beach shelter, Samaritan House. The money will be used to buy back-to-school wardrobes for children living at the Samaritan House shelter. In addition, Cellar Door Concerts, operator of the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater, will give the first 500 fans who donate a wireless phone one pin for free admission to all performances at the Verizon Wireless American Music Festival taking place Labor Day weekend. More information about the festival is available at www.beacheventsfun.com.

Last summer, Verizon Wireless and Cellar Door Concerts also joined forces for a phone collection drive. That effort yielded more than 1,000 no-longer-used phones and accessories and resulted in a $5,000 donation from Verizon Wireless that was divided evenly between the statewide organization Virginians Against Domestic Violence and Samaritan House. This year, Verizon Wireless' Regional President Patrick Devlin is encouraging area residents to surpass that number.

"Whether it's in a desk drawer or in a box in the basement, most of us don't have to look far to find a wireless phone we're no longer using," said Devlin. "I know Hampton Roads residents will rise to this challenge and exceed last year's results. I can't think of a more worthy beneficiary for this cause."

According to Cindee Bailey, director of development for Samaritan House, each night the shelter houses approximately 100 people, 60 of whom are children, who are either homeless or victims of domestic violence.

"When they arrive at our door, often times they only have the clothes on their backs," said Bailey. "Something as simple as new clothing for back-to-school helps instill in them the desire to succeed, the urge to reach their full potential. We're very appreciative of Verizon Wireless' continuing support through HopeLine."

"If our involvement in this project helps build self-esteem and confidence in even one child and eases the tremendous burdens faced by women living in temporary shelter with their children, then the value of our partnership will be immeasurable," said Matt Rogers, general manager, Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater.

Those wishing to contribute no-longer-used phones and accessories can do so at any of five area Verizon Wireless Communications stores.

In Virginia Beach, the four Verizon Wireless Communications stores are:

• Hilltop, 729 First Colonial Road, 757-417-0494
• Lynnhaven Square, 2085 Lynnhaven Pkwy, 757-471-9031
• Red Mill, 1157 Nimmo Pkwy, 757-563-9200
• 4001 VA Beach Blvd., 757-498-1000

In Chesapeake, the Verizon Wireless Communications Store is:

• 1224 Greenbrier Parkway, 757-549-9500

The Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater will accept donations at the box office during the following concerts: Allman Brothers Band (July 15); John Mellencamp and John Fogerty (July 21); James Taylor (July 22); Destiny's Child (July 23); FM99 Lunatic Luau (July 28); Earth, Wind and Fire with Chicago (August 5); Vans Warped Tour 2005 (August 9); Kenny Chesney (August 11); 50 Cent (August 17); 311 with Papa Roach and Unwritten Law (August 25); and 3 Doors Down (September 1).

The Verizon Wireless HopeLine program collects no-longer-used wireless phones and equipment in any condition to be refurbished, recycled or sold. The proceeds are then used to purchase wireless phones for victims of domestic violence or donated to support domestic violence prevention organizations; and the remaining phones are recycled in an environmentally friendly way. Since 2001, Verizon Wireless has collected more than two million wireless phones to benefit domestic violence victims. In 2004, consumers donated more than three-quarters of a million phones to HopeLine, up more than 35 percent from the previous year. The program has donated more than $800,000 to shelters and organizations for domestic violence prevention programs and victims' services and more than 11,000 phones with airtime and other features. In addition to benefiting victims, HopeLine provides an environmentally safe method for recycling used phones. All 1,900 Verizon Wireless Communications stores nationwide participate in the HopeLine program.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 million voice and data 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 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.  

About HopeLine
2005 marks the 10 year anniversary of the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program, which puts wireless products and services to work to combat domestic violence. Today, HopeLine collects wireless phones and accessories from any wireless carrier and refurbishes or recycles them with proceeds benefiting victims of domestic violence. The environmentally friendly HopeLine Program also provides victims with essential communication tools — wireless phones and wireless services, including voicemail and pre-paid wireless minutes. Donations are accepted at all 1, 900-plus Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country. For additional information, customers can visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

About Samaritan House/Safe Harbor
Located in Virginia Beach, Va., Samaritan House is a nonprofit organization dedicated to freedom from domestic abuse and to personal empowerment of adults and their children. The organization provides a wide range of services for those who have been victimized through domestic violence. These services range from food to clothing and shelter to education and legal services.

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