Mothers Against Drunk Driving To Receive Special Donation

Mothers Against Drunk Driving To Receive Special Donation

Bell Atlantic Mobile teams with MADD to fight
drunk driving in the Upstate

December 2, 1999

GREENVILLE, SC -- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is
kicking off its annual "Tie One On For Safety" Red Ribbon
campaign, along with a special fundraiser from Bell Atlantic Mobile. For
the eighth year in a row, the wireless service provider has announced that
it will make a cash donation to MADD for every cellular phone purchased
through Bell Atlantic Mobile over the holidays. Bell Atlantic Mobile's
total donation to MADD during this eight-year period has exceeded
$5,000.

During a news conference and candlelight vigil today, the company
spelled out details of the donation. The event included victims of drunk
driving accidents, local law enforcement, and emergency personnel, to
show their support for the cause.

"This donation program not only allows Bell Atlantic Mobile to
make a significant cash contribution to MADD, but it allows us to get
actively involved in the community and become another voice against
drinking and driving during the holidays," said Jerry Fountain, Bell
Atlantic Mobile-Southeast vice president.

MADD red ribbons are available at the Bell Atlantic Mobile
Communications Stores in Greenville, Simpsonville, Taylors, Spartanburg
and Anderson.

Fountain also pledged the company's additional support to MADD, as well
as motorists and law enforcement officers in the Upstate, by providing the
*DUI line. Available since 1994, Bell Atlantic Mobile's *DUI line
enables wireless phone users to call law enforcement officials if they spot
a person suspected to be driving under the influence.

Opal Holbrook, president of the local MADD chapter, added,
"We're excited and proud once again to have Bell Atlantic Mobile
join hands with the Greenville County Chapter of MADD. With our
combined efforts, we're looking forward to the day when we won't need a
*DUI line...or donations aimed at educating the public about the clearly
evident hazards of drunk driving."

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Editor's note: Bell Atlantic Mobile owns and operates the largest wireless
network in the East and systems in the Southwest, covering 180,000
square miles, and the largest chain of retail outlets devoted exclusively to
wireless voice, data and paging. Based in Bedminster, NJ, Bell Atlantic
Mobile has 6.9 million customers and 8,000 employees from Maine to
Georgia and in parts of Arizona, New Mexico and west Texas. Through
its "Wireless at Work..." community service program, the
company uses its technology to help individuals and communities improve
security and emergency communications. Bell Atlantic Mobile's parent,
Bell Atlantic Corporation (NYSE:BEL) is one of the world's largest
wireless communications companies, with domestic operations in 25 states
and international investments in Mexico, Europe and the Pacific Rim. For
more information on Bell Atlantic Mobile visit: www.bam.com; on global
operations visit: www.bellatlantic.com/worldwide.