Verizon Wireless And The Phoenix Suns Team Up Once Again To Provide A Hopeline For Victims Of Domestic Violence

PHOENIX, AZ — Verizon Wireless, the nation’s leading wireless provider, and the Phoenix Suns are teaming up for the second consecutive year to invite fans to help curb domestic violence in our community.  Representatives from Verizon Wireless will be on the plaza at the America West Arena from 5-7 p.m. on April 9 to accept used wireless phones and accessories for the Verizon Wireless HopeLine^SM program from fans attending the game.

Through the HopeLine program, used wireless phones, batteries and accessories from any carrier are refurbished, recycled and/or sold.  Proceeds are used to award grants to non-profit and public safety agencies engaged in domestic violence prevention and to donate phones with airtime to agencies for use by victims of abuse.  Last year, Suns fans donated more than 100 used wireless phones and accessories to the program.

“Verizon Wireless is pleased to partner with the Suns to make a difference in our community,” said Tami Erwin, regional president for Verizon Wireless.  “We challenge fans to scour their closets and donate even more phones this year and help us provide a HopeLine to more victims of domestic violence, an epidemic affecting more than 30 percent of American women during their lifetimes.”   

As part of its HopeLine program, Verizon Wireless also makes financial grants to local, regional and national domestic violence organizations and in 2002, awarded grants totaling more than $37,000 to Arizona domestic violence agencies.  Last year, through a comprehensive campaign with the Governor’s Division for the Prevention of Family Violence, the company also committed 300 HopeLine wireless phones with one year of prepaid airtime to domestic violence agencies throughout the state.      

Wireless phones and equipment can be donated to the HopeLine program year-round at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store across the country.  Tax receipts are available.

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 32.5 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 www.verizonwireless.com.

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