Verizon Wireless Teams Up With Chicago Cubs On Public Service Announcement Highlighting Domestic Violence Awareness And Prevention
CHICAGO, IL — Chicago Cubs shortstop Alex Gonzalez is featured in a public service announcement (PSA) to increase awareness of domestic violence and let people in Chicagoland know how to find help. The PSA, produced in English and Spanish, will air on the Cubs closed-circuit television system in Wrigley Field during each home game and is being distributed to all broadcast outlets throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana for use on-air.
"We're pleased to team up with the Chicago Cubs and the Cubs Care program to bring awareness to domestic violence and to help its victims," said Tracy Nolan, president of Verizon Wireless' Illinois/Wisconsin Region. "Together, we hope to bring heightened attention to the domestic violence issue and its damaging effects on individuals, families and businesses, as well as provide financial assistance to the dedicated organizations and shelters in our community that are helping the victims."
"The educational program and special event sponsorships by Verizon Wireless and the Chicago Cubs will encourage victims of domestic violence, their families, friends and co-workers to talk about the issue, and bring about positive change in their lives," said Joyce Coffee, Executive Director of Family Rescue, one of the largest domestic violence shelters in Chicagoland.
The program includes:
- Safe at Second, Safe at Home - Verizon Wireless donates $25 for every double a Cubs player hits during the 2002 regular baseball season to Cubs Care, which supports domestic violence shelters in the Chicago area. So far this season, the Cubs have hit 167 doubles earning the program $4,175.
- Cubs Care Event - Verizon Wireless served as the title sponsor of the 2002 Cubs Wives for Cubs Care event on Aug. 1, 2002 at Goose Island Brewery in Wrigleyville. Cubs Wives for Cubs Care focuses on raising money for and building awareness of the issue of domestic violence. The public event included an auction and photo opportunities with Cubs players. This year's event raised nearly $100,000.
- Ticket Bank - The Cubs community relations department is operating a Ticket Bank that provides tickets to Cubs home games to the clients and staff of 15 domestic violence shelters in Chicago. This season, the groups include Family Rescue, Friends of Battered Women, Sarah's Inn, A Safe Place, among others.
- HopeLineSM - Verizon Wireless will collect used wireless phones at a Cubs home game at Wrigley Field for its HopeLine program. HopeLine phones are refurbished or recycled in an environmentally sound way and sold, with proceeds used to purchase wireless handsets for victims of domestic violence and for donations to non-profit domestic violence organizations.
About HopeLine Domestic Violence Program
Through its HopeLine program, Verizon Wireless focuses primarily on putting wireless products and services to work to combat domestic violence. Verizon Wireless dedicates it resources to both the prevention of domestic violence and the life rebuilding process. In 2001 alone, Verizon Wireless donated more than 4,000 phones and $500,000 to this cause.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 30.3 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.
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