South Carolina Nonprofit Groups Received $200,000 in 2006 From Verizon Foundation to Support Literacy, Education and Domestic Violence Initiatives

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Verizon's commitment to the South Carolina communities it serves proved strong in 2006 through grants for a broad range of programs to improve literacy, combat domestic violence and support education programs in various communities.

In 2006, the Verizon Foundation - the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications - provided $200,000 in grants to 95 nonprofit groups in South Carolina, through grants awarded by both the competitive grant process and through the Verizon Volunteers program, which rewards employees with matching gifts and grants to nonprofits that employees donate to and support.  Last year, Verizon employees volunteered 2,303 hours to nonprofit groups across the state.

"Verizon has a long-standing record of working to improve the communities in which we operate by serving our customers well and supporting organizations that strive to make a difference in those communities," said Alan Ciamporcero, president of Verizon's southeast region.  "By supporting these worthy organizations and the volunteer spirit of our employees, we are making a difference in the lives of people across South Carolina."

Among the grants awarded by Verizon in 2006 were:

• Reach Out and Read SC - $10,000 for expansion of existing literacy programs in South Carolina.

• Fairfield County Literacy Council - $5,000 for computer-based pre-GED classes for the citizens of Fairfield County.
• Girl Scouts of the Old 96 Council - $7,500 for a domestic violence awareness and prevention workshop.
• Palmetto Partners for Science - $5,000 for the Palmetto Regional Robotic Competition, an educational program that involves courses in technology, engineering, design and modality, and digital electronics.
• South Carolina Council on Economic Education - $3,200 to train K-5 teachers to use children's literature to enhance economics and history education.

The Verizon Foundation is committed to improving literacy and K-12 education; fostering awareness and prevention of domestic violence; and promoting the use of technology in health-care delivery.  In 2006, the foundation awarded more than $69 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also matched charitable donations from Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $29 million in combined contributions. Under the foundation's Verizon Volunteer initiative, one of the nation's largest employee-volunteer programs, company employees and retirees have also contributed nearly 3 million hours of community service since Verizon's inception in 2000.

For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 59 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which operates one of the most expansive wholly owned global IP networks, and Verizon Telecom, which is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 242,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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