Verizon Awards $31,000 in Grants To Nonprofit Organizations along Southern Oregon Coast

COOS BAY, Ore. - Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, has awarded $31,000 in grants this year to nine nonprofit organizations located along the southern Oregon coast. The grants support a broad range of literacy, work force development, community technology and human service programs benefiting Oregonians.

"These grants are part of Verizon's commitment to invest in the communities we serve," said Steve Smith, Verizon local manager based in Coos Bay. "They are matched by our continuing commitment to provide our customers with superior telecommunications service."

The Salvation Army, headquartered in Coos Bay, received the largest grant of $7,500 for its "Winner's Circle Computer Lab," which helps students develop computer skills beyond what they learn in school. The lab also helps young people learn math, reading and science.

Verizon provided the SWOYA Boys and Girls Club with a $5,000 grant for "Project Learn," which trains teenagers to be reading mentors for children aged 6-12 and a $3,500 grant to the Friends of the Coos Bay Library for self-help materials that library patrons can use to be more technologically literate.

The United Way of Southwestern Oregon received $5,000 for a literacy program for adults and another program that helps youth become more employable.

Southwestern Oregon Community College received $5,000 for a work force development proposal. The money is earmarked for computers and software that individuals can use at the Newmark Center to help them search for jobs.

Verizon's community technology development grants provide funding that increase a non-profit organization's ability to serve its clients. Grants in this category included $2,100 to Southwestern Oregon Community Action for technological tools that will help social work managers and management staff operate more efficiently. Friends of Animals with Needs (FAWN), based in Coquille, received $1,000 for Web page development.

Verizon also renewed funding of its three coastal "community phones," which are located at Community Action in Coos Bay, the Gold Beach Senior Center and the Chetco Senior Center in Brookings. Community phones are designed for people who cannot afford their own phone but need one to complete important tasks such as scheduling job interviews, arranging transportation and making medical appointments.

Verizon Foundation supports a variety of programs that focus on improving basic and computer literacy, bridging the digital divide, enriching communities through technology and creating a skilled work force. The foundation promotes partnerships in technology with organizations serving the needs of diverse communities, people with disabilities, and the economically and socially disadvantaged. The foundation also supports Verizon Volunteers, an incentive program that encourages Verizon employees to volunteer in their communities and provides matching gifts to nonprofit organizations. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation on the Internet.

Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 128.5 million access line equivalents and 28.7 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with 256,000 employees and approximately $65 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.