Former Crimson Tide Stars to Appear at Verizon Wireless Stores to Raise Money for Bama Rising Fund

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Former University of Alabama football favorites and current NFL players Javier Arenas, Mike Johnson and John Parker Wilson will meet and greet with fans -- signing autographs and taking pictures -- at Verizon Wireless stores in Huntsville, Tuscaloosa and Birmingham this Friday, June 10, and Saturday, June 11, to raise additional dollars for the Bama Rising Fund for tornado recovery.

The events are a precursor to "BAMA RISING: A Benefit Concert for Alabama Tornado Recovery," presented by Verizon, which will bring some of country music's biggest stars to the BJCC Arena Tuesday, June 14, with ticket sales and corporate sponsorships benefiting the Bama Rising Fund. It will feature performances by ALABAMA, who is spearheading the event, Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, Sheryl Crow and numerous other artists.

"When we heard word of this amazing concert, we reached out to Verizon to find out if there was anything we could do to help," Wilson said. "We are challenging Alabama fans across the state to show their support for ongoing recovery efforts by coming out and giving what they can to the cause – no donation too big or too small."

All three players will appear at:

• The Jones Valley Verizon store at 2762 Carl T. Jones Drive Southeast in Huntsville from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 10
• The McFarland Verizon store at 2340 McFarland Boulevard East in Tuscaloosa from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 11
• The Wildwood Verizon store at 225 State Farm Parkway in Birmingham from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 11

In addition to the player meet and greet, attendees will have the chance to enter a random drawing for two tickets to BAMA Rising.  General Admission tickets for the star-studded event sold out one hour after going on sale on May 20.

Contributions of cash or checks can be made on site. Checks should be made out to the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, the philanthropic partner for the concert artists and organizers who established the Bama Rising Fund to support long-term recovery statewide in the wake of the April 2011 tornadoes. Credit card donations can be made through an online DONATE button at www.BamaRising.org. Those interested can also text "BAMA" to 501501 to donate $10.** 

**$10 charged to your cell phone bill. Message and data rates may apply.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 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.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless