Make a Difference in Georgia During Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Donate No-Longer-Used Cell Phones to HopeLine Program

ATLANTA, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking for a way to take part in the cause during Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) this October?  HopeLine^® from Verizon gives consumers a way to support victims and local domestic violence organizations in and around the state of Georgia by collecting no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories in any condition from any wireless service provider.  

HopeLine from Verizon puts the nation's most reliable wireless network to work in the community by turning no-longer-used wireless phones into support for victims of domestic violence.  Proceeds from the HopeLine program are used to provide wireless phones and airtime to victims of domestic violence and cash grants to local shelters and non-profit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention, awareness and advocacy.  Consumers can donate their phones at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide or by mail using the postage-paid mailing label available at www.verizonwireless.com/hopelinemailinglabel.

Verizon has a longstanding commitment to raising awareness of domestic violence and aiding in its prevention.  In 2009 alone, the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon donated more than 18,000 phones to domestic violence organizations in Georgia. The company also continues to work with the Atlanta Falcons to collect phones during key football games, extending the recognition of the HopeLine program.  Additional efforts include:

• Text-to-Donate Program – Verizon and the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) are teaming up to launch the text-to-donate program.  Customers can make a $10 donation to the NNEDV by texting "HOPE" to 41010. One hundred percent of each $10 donation will go to the NNEDV and its affiliated state domestic violence coalitions.  Verizon will waive its customers' text messaging fees, and customers' $10 donations will appear on their next monthly bills.  As part the text-to-donate campaign, HopeLine from Verizon will also match donations up to $50,000.  
• "Telling Amy's Story" – A powerful documentary on domestic violence that chronicles the time leading up to the death of Amy Homan McGee, a mother of two who was shot and killed by her husband.  The documentary, created by Pennsylvania State University Public Broadcasting, is currently airing on local PBS stations throughout Georgia and will be shown at South Georgia College on October 11, followed by a panel discussion. The documentary was funded through Verizon Foundation grants in the amount of $385,000.
• Samsung Gusto™ – The color purple has symbolized domestic violence awareness and prevention for over 20 years.  To honor DVAM, a purple edition of the simple and sleek Samsung Gusto will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com on Oct. 1 and will be free after a $50 mail-in rebate for the month of October.  

"Verizon has a long history of raising awareness of domestic violence and taking action to aid in its prevention," said Jeff Mango, president, Verizon Wireless Georgia/Alabama Region.  "Through the HopeLine program and our efforts throughout the state, we are going one step further in spreading the word about domestic violence and helping victims during DVAM this year."

Since the launch of the HopeLine phone recycling program in 2001, HopeLine from Verizon has collected more than 7 million phones, given out more than $7.9 million in cash grants, and distributed more than 90,000 phones with more than 300 million minutes of free wireless service for use by domestic violence survivors.  In addition, Verizon has properly disposed of 1.6 million no-longer-used wireless phones in an environmentally sound way and kept more than 200 tons of electronic waste and batteries out of landfills.  

For more information about HopeLine from Verizon and to learn how to organize a HopeLine drive during DVAM, go to www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 92 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 79,000 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