Verizon Teams With National Organization to Provide Books and Toys to Children Affected by Domestic Violence

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Holiday shoppers will have the opportunity to make the season a little brighter for children and families affected by domestic violence by participating in the Verizon Foundation's Hope for the Holidays campaign.

Through the campaign, Verizon employees will collect toys and books to provide comfort to children and families who are survivors of domestic violence. Verizon has partnered with the National Network to End Domestic Violence, which will help coordinate the distribution of the items to children and families in domestic violence shelters across the country.

The public is invited to take part in the campaign, which runs through Dec. 10, by logging on to http://www.verizonfoundation.org/hopeforholidays and making a donation to the National Network to End Domestic Violence.  The organization will use the funds to help domestic violence shelters provide support to children and families in their local communities.

"The holidays are a time of joy for so many, but it's also a time that can be very hurtful to survivors of domestic violence and their children," said Sue Else, president of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. "We are grateful that the Verizon Foundation and Verizon employees are working with us to bring hope to thousands of people during this holiday season."

Verizon has a long-standing commitment to raising awareness of domestic violence and aiding in its prevention. Since 2007, the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, has awarded more than $15 million in grants to nonprofits that support victims of domestic violence.

Through Verizon's HopeLine® program, more than 7 million phones have been collected and recycled or refurbished to support domestic violence survivors, generating $8 million that has been given to local agencies since 2001. For more information about HopeLine from Verizon, go to www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

"Domestic violence is a widespread issue that impacts families in every community in our nation," said Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston. "Verizon is committed to using its technology and efforts of our employees to help end the cycle of violence. We invite everyone to join the Hope for the Holidays campaign and bring a ray of hope to the families and children affected by domestic violence."

The Verizon Foundation supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational website, Verizon Thinkfinity (www.thinkfinity.org), and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2009, the Verizon Foundation awarded $67.9 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 $26.1 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 5 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., is a leading voice for domestic violence victims and their allies.  Its members include the 56 state and territorial coalitions against domestic violence.  It works closely with them to understand the needs of domestic violence survivors and advocacy programs.  NNEDV has been a premiere national organization advancing the movement against domestic violence for the past 15 years, after leading efforts among domestic violence advocates and survivors in urging Congress to pass the landmark Violence Against Women Act of 1994.  To learn more, please visit www.nnedv.org.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: 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 93 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 195,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon