Verizon Wireless Donates 50 *NSYNC Concert Tickets To The Youngest Victims Of Domestic Violence

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Verizon Wireless is donating 50 concert tickets to this week's sold-out *NSYNC 2001 PopOdyssey Tour at Giants Stadium to children at three New Jersey domestic violence shelters. The company is co-sponsoring the *NSYNC tour.

Children and their families from Jersey Battered Women's Shelter in Morris County, Passaic County Women's Center in Passaic, and Safe House in Essex County, are attending one of the concert dates which began on Sunday and conclude Tuesday night. These three New Jersey shelters help women and their families escape the violence they have experienced in their own homes, providing safe living arrangements, job counseling, social services and outreach programs.

"To give these children just a few hours with their moms to enjoy a concert and be regular kids is a great gift," said Cathy Stephens, director of residential services. "We can provide the children with a bed and a meal, but a night at an *NSYNC concert gives them something more; it gives them the thrill of their young lives and memories that will last forever."

"Music works as a great tonic for many things," said Charles Hand, president of Verizon Wireless' New York Metro Region. "We realize one night of excitement won't erase the wounds these kids have suffered, but it's our hope that each time they hear one of the band's songs on the radio, they'll remember the night they went to see *NSYNC live and smile at the memory."

Domestic violence prevention and education has been the chief community focus of Verizon Wireless since 1995.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with more than 27 million wireless voice and data customers. The coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD), including Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, GTE Wireless and PrimeCo Personal Communications. Verizon Wireless has a footprint covering more than 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 96 of the top 100 U.S. markets. The company, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 40,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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