Verizon Wireless Encourages Michigan Domestic Violence Organizations To Apply for...

Verizon Wireless Encourages Michigan Domestic Violence Organizations To Apply
for Grants

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless announced today
it is seeking grant proposals from non-profit organizations in Michigan for
programs that directly benefit domestic violence survivors and their families
or for initiatives that raise awareness of and prevent domestic violence, teen
dating violence, partner violence or elder abuse.
Grant applicants must have a 501(c) 3 tax status, and funding requests
should not exceed $10,000. Proposals may be submitted in writing to Michelle
Gilbert at michelle.gilbert@verizonwireless.com. The deadline for submitting
proposals is June 30, 2008. All applicants will be notified between July 1 and
Sept. 30.
Verizon Wireless is a recognized corporate leader for its commitment to
preventing domestic violence and raising awareness of the issue. In 2007,
Verizon Wireless -- along with the Verizon Foundation -- donated more than
$420,000 in cash grants, phones and airtime to shelters and other
organizations in Michigan working to support victims of domestic violence and
their families
"We are here to help those nonprofits that work so hard to combat domestic
violence and make our community a safer place to live," said Greg Haller,
president-Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky Region, Verizon Wireless. "I encourage any
organization in Michigan that shares our concern over the impact of domestic
violence on families and the overall community to apply for a financial grant
from Verizon Wireless."
Domestic violence shelters and other non-profit organizations that assist
domestic violence survivors may also submit applications to Verizon Wireless'
HopeLine(R) program for wireless phones and free airtime to be given to
domestic violence survivors who are rebuilding their lives. For more
information, please email jennifer.lestor@verizonwireless.com.
Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program turns no-longer-used wireless phones
into support for victims of domestic violence. Wireless phones, batteries and
other accessories are collected at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores
nationwide and in special collections throughout the year. The phones are
either refurbished for reuse or recycled in an environmentally sound way.
Since October 2001, when Verizon Wireless launched its national recycling
program, HopeLine has collected more than 4 million phones. The program has
disposed of nearly 1 million phones in an environmentally sound way and
refurbished the remaining phones for resale and reuse. Over the last five
years, Verizon Wireless also has distributed more than 45,000 phones with
airtime and other features valued at more than $13 million to be used by
victims of domestic violence.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and
data network, serving 63.7 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless
company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon
Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 68,000 employees
nationwide. The company 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. To preview and request broadcast-quality video
footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to
the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
SOURCE Verizon Wireless

Michelle Gilbert of Verizon Wireless, +1-248-915-3680,
michelle.gilbert@verizonwireless.com; or Alan Upchurch for Verizon Wireless,
+1-248-855-6777, aupchurch@marxlayne.com