Verizon Gives $50,000 to American Red Cross in Support of Branson and Other Midwest Tornado Victims

BRANSON, Mo., March 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Verizon Foundation is donating $50,000 to the American Red Cross to assist residents of Missouri and others in the Midwest struck by the tornadoes that devastated families and businesses. The contribution is intended to provide immediate help to people who are dealing with the aftermath of clean-up efforts as officials continue to make damage assessments across the nation.

Verizon Wireless also continues to offer local assistance at our Branson retail store so those affected can have Internet access to stay in touch with family, employers, and insurers as the cleanup continues.

"When a disaster of this magnitude hits a community, the need for reliable communications is more important than ever," said Brendan Fallis, president–Kansas/Missouri Region, Verizon Wireless.

"We have committed our resources to efforts taking place in Branson and will continue to provide the most reliable communications network in the nation to local individuals and businesses as they begin the process of rebuilding."

Verizon Wireless has also implemented a nationwide mobile giving program for customers looking for a simple way to contribute to relief and recovery efforts following the devastation in the Midwest and Southeast.

Customers can use their mobile phones to make $10 donations to a variety of nonprofit organizations responding to the tornado and the needs of local citizens in the aftermath, including American Red Cross Relief and The Salvation Army. Customers simply text the specific word to the organization's designated short code:

• American Red Cross Relief -- Text "REDCROSS" to 90999
• The Salvation Army -- Text "STORM" to 80888
• World Vision, Inc. -- Text "WV" to 20222

Verizon Wireless always waives text-messaging fees for disaster relief and 100 percent of each donation goes to the relief organization.

For Verizon Wireless customers who pay monthly bills, the $10 donations will appear on the next regular monthly bill.  For customers using the company's prepaid services, the $10 donation will be taken from customers' prepaid balance.

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About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 108.7 million total wireless connections, including 92.2 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 82,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit 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.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Brenda Hill
Verizon Wireless
913-344-2922
[email protected] 
Twitter: @VZWbrenda

Mark Farnen
For Verizon Wireless
573-424-1782
[email protected]
Twitter: @marksbarks

SOURCE Verizon Wireless