Verizon Gives $25,000 Grant to New Jersey State Family Readiness Council

NEWARK, N.J. - Verizon has awarded the New Jersey State Family Readiness Council a $25,000 grant that will be used to offer financial assistance to Guard members serving on active duty.

"As we celebrate in November the many sacrifices made by veterans around the country, we're especially proud to help those men and women now serving our nation during a time of need," said Dennis Bone, president of Verizon New Jersey.  "Like many Americans, members of the National Guard and Reserve and their families are also facing economic challenges in these turbulent financial times.  We hope our grant will help offset some of those difficulties for New Jerseyans who are giving in countless ways both at home and abroad."

The Family Readiness Council is a group of volunteers that meet monthly to focus on ways to assist Guard members and their families and businesses in a time of need.  The Council gives grants of up to $5,000 for families, and up to $10,000 for Guard members with businesses, that are adversely affected when Guard members are deployed either domestically or overseas.

"Companies like Verizon are truly helping to provide an economic lifeline to Guard members, their families and their businesses that are being financially challenged by Guardsmen  deployments," said Linda Rieth, co-chair, New Jersey State Family Readiness Council.  "Extended deployments can lead to financial hardships, and our Council, supported by companies like Verizon, can make a real and sustainable difference."

Applications for Family Readiness Council grants are available at New Jersey Army and Air National Guard centers around the state. 

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its signature program, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2007, the foundation awarded more than $67.4 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $25.1 million in combined contributions. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since Verizon's inception in 2000.