Verizon Wireless And The Green Bay Packers Team Up To Provide A HopeLine For Domestic Violence Victims

GREEN BAY, WI — Verizon Wireless and the Green Bay Packers are teaming up to invite fans to help victims of domestic violence in local communities.

A phone collection drive will be held on Sunday, Nov. 6, at Lambeau Field, prior to the Packers' scheduled 3:15 p.m. game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. Beginning at 1 p.m., when the gates open, fans can donate no-longer-used wireless handsets and accessories from any service provider at each of the five Lambeau Field entrances. The wireless equipment will be collected for Verizon Wireless' HopeLine® program.

Through its award-winning HopeLine program, Verizon Wireless collects no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories from any wireless service provider. Most of the donated phones and equipment are refurbished and sold, with proceeds going to support domestic violence awareness and prevention programs, including those in Wisconsin. Any remaining phones are recycled in an environmentally friendly way.

"We appreciate the Packers teaming up with us on this very important initiative," said Tracy Nolan, president—Illinois/Wisconsin Region, Verizon Wireless. "Packers fans are the best in the league and I know they will want to help make a difference by donating their phones on Nov. 6."

Since its national recycling program began in October 2001, HopeLine has collected nearly 2.5 million phones-more than 750,000 in 2004 alone-to help those affected by domestic violence. "Just by donating a no-longer-used wireless handset, fans can help provide hope to victims of domestic violence, an epidemic affecting more than 30 percent of American women during their lifetime," added Nolan.

As the official wireless provider of the Green Bay Packers and Lambeau Field, Verizon Wireless also has joined forces with the Packers on a second initiative, called "Protection is the Name of the Game," to support domestic violence prevention and awareness. Through this program, Verizon Wireless is donating $25 for each point the Packers score this season for distribution to various domestic violence shelters, organizations or programs across Wisconsin.

Fans unable to attend the Nov. 6, game can still participate in the phone drive by donating their no-longer-used phones at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store at any time. To find the store closest to you, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, N.J., 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.  

####