Verizon Employees Throughout the Country Collect More Than $500,000 Worth of Back-to-School...

Verizon Employees Throughout the Country Collect More Than $500,000 Worth of
Back-to-School Supplies to Assist Hundreds of Schools and Nonprofits
Items Collected During Companywide 'Tools for School' Campaign

NEW YORK, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon employees across the country have
collected more than $500,000 worth of back-to-school supplies to assist
schools and nonprofit organizations. The volunteers participated in a
three-week Tools for School campaign to collect new and gently used rulers,
crayons, backpacks and other items children need to start the school year.

Employees at more than 500 Verizon locations took part in the campaign. The
school supplies will be distributed to more than 400 schools and nonprofit
organizations in the local communities where the supplies were collected, with
a specific focus on schools with a large population of students from
low-income families.

"Many of our students can't afford the numerous school supplies needed for
today's classrooms," said Teresa Grenauf, principal of Southwick Elementary
School in Fort Wayne, Ind. "We can't wait to see their faces when we are able
to provide them with all the supplies they need to get the year off to a great
start."

Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston said, "Verizon has a long history
of supporting education. Whether it's by providing free interactive
educational resources for parents and teachers through Verizon Thinkfinity.org
or by volunteering to assist an after-school program, Verizon will continue
support efforts to provide the tools children need to succeed in the
classroom."

Verizon Thinkfinity.org contains thousands of free educational resources
including interactive games, videos and activities that make learning fun.
Verizon Thinkfinity provides teachers, parents and students with a valuable
resource for lesson plans, in-class activities or homework help.

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 global
leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications
services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.
Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving
more than 87 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations
provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over
the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. Wireline also includes
Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to
customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse
workforce of more than 235,000 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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SOURCE Verizon

Brian C. Malina, +1-908-559-6434, brian.c.malina@verizon.com