Verizon State Tax Credits Turned into Scholarship Opportunities for Five Pennsylvania Non-Profit Organizations

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Using $100,000 in grants from Verizon Pennsylvania, five non-profit organizations will be able to provide scholarships to families wanting to send their children in kindergarten through 12th grade to the public, private or parochial schools of their choice in the commonwealth.

Award-winning actor and Verizon spokesman James Earl Jones today presented the grants to representatives from each organization following a luncheon at the Harrisburg Hilton and Towers.

The grants were made possible through Verizon's participation in the state's Educational Improvement Tax Credit plan. Inaugurated in 2001 and administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), the plan authorized $30 million in tax credits to businesses that make contributions to scholarship or educational improvement organizations.

"This program benefits everyone," said James V. O'Rourke, president and CEO, Verizon Pennsylvania. "It's a win for families who will be the recipients of the scholarships, and it's a win for corporations that not only get a tax break, but also gain another opportunity to invest in the education of the work force of tomorrow."

Verizon awarded scholarship grants to the following non-profit organizations:

Greater Erie Community Action Committee, Erie -- $25,000
Wyoming Seminary, Kingston -- $25,000
Indian Creek Valley Christian Family and Children's Center, Champion -- $25,000
Chester County Community Foundation, West Chester -- $12,500
Children First America, Chester -- $12,500

Verizon was one of the first Pennsylvania corporations to commit to a total of $100,000 in grants for two consecutive years when the program was announced in 2001.

Verizon Communications

A Fortune 10 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $67 billion in revenues and 221,000 employees. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 137.6 million access line equivalents and 34.6 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is the third largest long-distance carrier for U.S. consumers, with 14.6 million long-distance lines. The company is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. Verizon's international presence includes wireline and wireless communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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