Haiti-Relief Contributions From Verizon Foundation and Company Employees Top $600,000

NEW YORK, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Verizon Foundation and Verizon employees have pledged more than $600,000 in donations to support earthquake-relief efforts in Haiti.  In addition, Verizon Wireless customers have pledged more than $6 million to the American Red Cross' relief efforts in the country.

Of the $600,000, more than $500,000 has been raised through the Verizon employee disaster-relief matching-gift program. Under the program, the Verizon Foundation is matching employee donations dollar for dollar, up to $1,000 per employee, to two nonprofit organizations, World Vision and Food for the Poor, that are providing aid in Haiti.

In addition, the Verizon Foundation has awarded grants of $50,000 each to World Vision and Food for the Poor.

"Verizon employees have a long tradition of mobilizing quickly to assist communities in need," said Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston. "We are proud that so many Verizon employees and customers have come forward to assist the people of Haiti in this time of great need."

Text 'HAITI' to 90999 to aid Red Cross Relief Efforts

Verizon Wireless customers can aid American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti by texting "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 from their personal phones. Verizon Wireless is waiving the text-messaging fees, and 100 percent of each $10 donation goes to the Red Cross.

Verizon Wireless customers have pledged more than $6 million to the American Red Cross through texting. Verizon Wireless has already transmitted more than $2.9 million in pledges to the Red Cross, representing all of those made by  Jan. 15.

Verizon Wireless also opened a Haiti Relief Connection Center in Miami to help the local Haitian-American community connect with family and friends in Haiti, and Verizon is helping to set up emergency communications services there.

In addition, Verizon Wireless has provided 50 pallets of supplies to American Red Cross Disaster Services and free cell phone memory cards/SIM cards to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Verizon Foundation supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2009, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $67.5 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 an additional $24.4 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.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: 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 89 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 230,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $97 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.  

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SOURCE Verizon