Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal And Verizon Team Up To Raise Awareness Of Domestic Violence

ALPHARETTA, Ga., Oct. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of domestic violence awareness month, Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal and Verizon held an event at the Capital Building earlier today to educate Georgians about easy ways to support domestic violence causes in the state. Deal and Verizon encouraged Georgians to do their part by donating no-longer-used wireless phones to HopeLine® from Verizon. As a highlight of the event, Michelle Robinson, vice president of the Verizon South Region, presented a $20,000 HopeLine grant to the Governor's Office for Children and Families.

As Board Chair of the Governor's Office for Children and Families, First Lady Deal and Katie Jo Ballard, executive director, have identified the need for additional domestic violence awareness, education and prevention initiatives in Georgia.  HopeLine, Verizon Wireless' national cell phone recycling and re-use program, contributes to this effort by collecting no-longer-used wireless devices and accessories – all models, from all wireless carriers – to be refurbished, recycled and/or sold.  Proceeds benefit victims of domestic violence in Georgia through cash grants to domestic violence agencies and organizations as well as refurbished phones with prepaid minutes of wireless service, which are provided to local domestic violence organizations or local government and law enforcement agencies for their use with domestic violence clients.

"Domestic violence affects every community in Georgia and that is why the Governor's Office for Children and Families is committed to raising awareness of this epidemic and supporting domestic violence prevention efforts, such as Verizon's HopeLine program, to benefit and improve the lives in our communities," Deal said.  "We are thrilled they have chosen to support our efforts with this generous donation."

"First Lady Deal is a committed partner in raising awareness of domestic violence causes.  We look forward to the community becoming more involved with HopeLine and increasing their phone donations, enabling us to provide more funds and support to Georgia-based domestic violence organizations that are making a positive difference in our communities," said Robinson.  "Honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month and donate your no longer-used devices and accessories to HopeLine at your local Verizon Wireless store."

Georgians can donate a phone at any Verizon Wireless store or by mail all year round.  To print a prepaid HopeLine mailing label, simply to go www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

Event images are available for viewing and download at the First Lady's Photo Gallery.  

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves nearly 96 million retail customers, including 90.4 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 75,000 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