Verizon Awards More than $635,000 to Arkansas Nonprofits to Support Education and Workforce Development

Additional Support Expected Through Verizon Employee Contributions, Volunteerism
and Corporate Matching Gift Programs
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(Business Wire)--
The Verizon Foundation today announced grants totaling $635,000 to four Arkansas
nonprofits supporting efforts to improve educational achievement, support
teacher training and aid workforce development.

"Verizon has a long-standing tradition of working to improve the communities
where we operate by supporting organizations that strive to make a difference in
the lives of individuals in the community," said Steven R. Smith, president-
South Central Region, Verizon Wireless. "Through grants and the generous
contributions of time and talent from our employees, we are making a positive
impact."

Verizon Wireless made the announcement today at an event held at Central High
School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Organizations receiving grants include:

* Jobs for America`s Graduates (JAG) - $250,000 to fund the creation of JAG
programs within three school districts in the Delta region of Arkansas (Forrest
City, Earle and Lee County). JAG is a national program designed to keep at-risk
students in school and provide work-based learning experiences that will lead to
career advancement opportunities or enrollment in postsecondary education. The
grant will also fund a JAG state Executive Leadership Training Program for
students.
* One Economy - $250,000 to implement its Digital Connectors program at three
Delta region high schools. Through the Digital Connectors program students will
develop leadership skills and receive technology training that provides the
skills necessary to compete in today's economy. Those students will then
volunteer in their communities, offering more than 6,000 hours of service to
peers and the community.
* Arkansas Department of Education (DOE) - - $100,000 to improve technology at
Little Rock Central High School as well as develop a comprehensive professional
development program to train every teacher in the school to effectively
integrate and use technology in their classrooms. Teachers will also use the
free resources on Thinkfinity.org, the Verizon Foundation`s comprehensive Web
site that contains thousands of educational resources including K-12 lesson
plans, online educational activities, videos and other materials to enhance
teacher effectiveness and improve student achievement.
* Arkansas Department of Education (DOE) - $35,000 to raise awareness and
provide training for teachers throughout the state to use free educational
resources on Thinkfinity.org, The Arkansas DOE will serve as Verizon
Foundation`s state partner and will work to make Thinkfinity`s educational
resources and professional development program available to all K-12 educators
and college students studying to be teachers.

"The grants announced today will have a positive impact in the classrooms and
communities throughout Arkansas," said Dr. Ken James, Arkansas Commissioner of
Education. "The Arkansas Department of Education is proud to partner with
Verizon on such a worthy and necessary program to ensure our teachers have the
tools they need to help our students master 21st century skills."

William L. "Bill" Walker, Jr. director of the Arkansas Department of Workforce
Education, which oversees local JAG programs said: "Through the Verizon
Foundation`s valuable support, JAG will be able to continue its important
mission of reaching out to at-risk youth and taking the necessary steps to
ensure that they stay in school and receive the guidance and training needed to
expand their options and have a better quality of life."

"With Verizon`s support, young people in Arkansas will learn to use technology
to improve their lives and lead in their communities," said Rey Ramsey, One
Economy`s chief executive officer. "As part of this 21st-century service corps,
Digital Connectors share their knowledge with their neighbors, creating a
culture of technology use."

In addition to the grants outlined above, nonprofits throughout the state are
eligible to receive additional support through monetary and time contributions
from Verizon employees. The Verizon Foundation will match employee contributions
to nonprofit organizations $1-for-$1 up to $1,000 per employee. The Verizon
Foundation also supports employee volunteerism by awarding a $750 grant to a
nonprofit organization when a Verizon employee volunteers 50 hours or more to
the organization during the year.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications,
supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free
educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of
domestic violence. In 2008, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $68 million
in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. It also matched the
charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an
additional $26 million in combined contributions to nonprofits. 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 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit
www.verizonfoundation.org.

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 80 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 employs a diverse
workforce of nearly 224,000 and last year generated consolidated operating
revenues of more than $97 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

VERIZON`S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and
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For The Verizon Foundation
Sheryl Sellaway, 678-339-5564
sheryl.sellaway@verizonwireless.com
or
Katie Zach, 704-548-8556
kzach@taylorpr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009