Dodgeville District Reading Program, Family Literacy Network of East Madison, Wis., Receive Books From Verizon's Season's Readings Program

SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. - Students in Dodgeville and families in Dane County will have more choices in their libraries beginning today when Verizon donates 569 books collected during the annual Season's Readings program.

"We wanted to put books in the hands of children to help them begin the adventure of reading," said Kate Ludlum, coordinator-resource management for Verizon in Sun Prairie, who ran the local Season's Readings campaign. "I know some children have to learn from tattered and torn books or share with other students, so we hope these donated books will help make learning to read a little easier."

From November 20 through December 31, Verizon employees at Sun Prairie collected 569 books. Ludlum said the books are being donated to the Dodgeville District Reading Program and the Family Literacy Network of East Madison.

"The books donated at Dodgeville will be used as an incentive program for reading," said Joyce Marr, resource planning coordinator for the Dodgeville District Reading Program. "This support of reading is truly a gift that will last a child a lifetime."

Patricia La Cross, coordinator for the Family Literacy Network of East Madison, said, "Family Literacy Network appreciates Verizon's support and partnership in improving literacy in Wisconsin. The books will be used by students to improve their reading and comprehension skills. Verizon is to be commended for its national campaign to improve literacy."

This is the fourth year that Verizon employees across the country have participated in the Season's Readings program. Barnes & Noble Inc. joined forces with Verizon on the 2004 campaign, Season's Readings: One Million Books for One Million Children.

Since the program began in 2001, Verizon's efforts have resulted in the donation of more than 1,800,000 books. Additionally, company employees have pledged more than 229,000 hours of reading time to their own children or to others.

Verizon is committed to being America's literacy champion. The company is conducting a national campaign to increase community awareness and to generate additional funding and support of literacy programs for adults, children and families. Working under the banner of Verizon Reads, a private charity, the award-winning philanthropy program reaches out to the nearly 40 million Americans who have low literacy skills. For more information on Verizon Reads, visit www.VerizonReads.net.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. With a diverse work force of approximately 208,000, Verizon has four business units: Domestic Telecom serves customers based in 29 states with wireline telecommunications services, including broadband, nationwide long-distance and other services. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 42.1 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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