Verizon Matches Employee Donations Dollar for Dollar to Aid Disaster Victims in China and Myanmar

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - The Verizon Foundation has started a 1-to-1 match for every dollar donated by Verizon employees to aid victims of the cyclones in Myanmar and the earthquake in the Sichuan province of China.

The foundation will match individual employee contributions of up to $1,000 per employee.

"Verizon employees are always eager to assist those affected by tragedy, and through the disaster relief incentive program the impact of their generosity will be doubled," said Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston. "We are hopeful that our contribution can play a role in bringing some comfort to the many victims and help rebuild their communities."

All contributions received through the program will go to Save the Children, which is assisting children and their families in both Myanmar and China.  The nonprofit organization helps children in need in the U.S. and around the world.

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.

For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 67 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employed a diverse workforce of approximately 232,000 as of the end of the first quarter 2008 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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