First Lady Karen Pence announces third annual HopeLine phone drive
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana First Lady Karen Pence is hosting her third annual HopeLine from Verizon phone drive to assist survivors of domestic violence in Indiana during the month of October.
“HopeLine from Verizon is an incredible program, and I trust that these donations over the next month will make a noticeable difference for survivors of domestic violence across the state,” said First Lady Karen Pence. “I am very grateful for the efforts of state employees. Last year, they dropped off 1,367 phones in HopeLine boxes around the government center campus. I am looking forward to watching our progress throughout the month of October as we continue to work together to make a difference and bring awareness to domestic violence.”
Last year, state employees donated more than 1,300 devices in HopeLine collection boxes stationed in the downtown state government campus. The drive is considered to be one of the longest consecutive HopeLine collections in the nation.
Indiana First Lady Karen Pence poses with Verizon’s Neil Krevda following a news conference to announce the First Lady’s annual HopeLine phone drive to benefit domestic violence survivors. This is the third year of the drive. Last year 1,367 phones were collected.
This year, more than 70 state government agencies are expected to be participating. Older phones, chargers and tablets are accepted from any carrier and in any condition. Consumers also can donate year-round at Verizon company stores.
“First Lady Karen Pence’s drives are one of the most successful drives in the nation and engages thousands of people at a single time,” said John Granby, Verizon Great Lakes market president. “The commitment of our partners makes it possible to support community organizations that are on the front line assisting survivors and their families.”
Approximately 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year – and 90 percent of those children are eyewitnesses to the violence, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
HopeLine from Verizon also provides new phones equipped with 3,000 minutes to survivors so they can stay in touch with family, employers and doctors. This year, 700 new phones have been provided to Indiana organizations.
Since 2001, HopeLine from Verizon has collected more than 11.4 million phones nationwide and has donated more than $29 million in cash grants to domestic violence organizations nationwide.
HopeLine donations boxes will be located with Indiana’s state agencies during the month of October as well as in the Indiana Statehouse outside the Office of the First Lady, Room 215 and the Office of the Governor, Room 206.