MILWAUKEE, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ — Throughout 2006, wireless customers in Wisconsin donated 11,850 no-longer-used wireless phones to Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine(R) phone recycling program that supports domestic violence prevention and awareness programs nationwide. As a result of these donations, $65,000 and 200 wireless phones with airtime and other features were given by the company to shelters and other organizations in Wisconsin working to support victims of domestic violence.
“We are encouraged to see that consumers are donating their no-longer used wireless phones and accessories,” said T.J. Fox, Region President for Verizon Wireless. “Wisconsin residents recognize the devastating impact of domestic violence and have responded by donating their old equipment to this very worthy cause. We hope they continue to support HopeLine and help us make a difference in the lives of domestic violence victims.”
Verizon Wireless customers throughout the country donated 910,000 no-longer-used wireless phones to HopeLine in 2006, resulting in donations of nearly $1.3 million in cash grants and more than 16,000 HopeLine phones with airtime and other features to domestic violence organizations and shelters.
Since October 2001, when Verizon Wireless launched its national recycling program, HopeLine has collected more than 3.5 million phones. The program has disposed of more than 800,000 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 $10 million in financial grants, phones and services and nearly 40,000 phones to domestic violence prevention and awareness programs throughout the country.
Verizon Wireless is a recognized corporate leader for its commitment to preventing domestic violence and raising awareness of the issue. No-longer-used phones are collected in more than 2,200 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores throughout the country. For more information on Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program and on how to donate a wireless phone, visit http://www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline .
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving more than 59 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 65,000 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 http://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 http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia .
