The National Network to End Domestic Violence and Verizon Wireless Traveled Nearly 7,000 Miles to Inspire Local Communities Across the Country to Help End Domestic Violence

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) and Verizon Wireless traveled nearly 7,000 miles throughout the country to partner with local community organizations and state coalitions to raise awareness about domestic violence during October – National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  The eight-city Journey of Hope tour worked with local and state domestic violence organizations and public officials to educate the public about local resources available for those affected by domestic violence, encouraged donations of no-longer-used phones and text-to-donate campaign to support organizations that work for the cause.  Throughout the month of October, Verizon Wireless collected enough phones to fill a football field and, through HopeLine, donated more than $1 million to local, state and national organizations focused on the prevention, education and services of domestic violence.

One in every four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime and nearly three out of four Americans personally know someone who has been a victim of domestic violence.  At each tour stop, NNEDV and Verizon Wireless encouraged those impacted by domestic violence to share and record their personal stories on Verizon Wireless tablets.  The first-person testimonies will be made available to the public in the coming months as a way to break the silence surrounding domestic violence.  Those who recorded stories include community leaders, a mayor, a senator and a survivor who was shot in the head by her abuser.

"We were so pleased to partner with Verizon Wireless on the Journey of Hope!  The visibility of this tour brought much needed awareness about domestic violence, safety, and hope to communities across the country," said Sue Else, president of NNEDV.  "Verizon Wireless' leadership in partnering with NNEDV, state coalitions, and local programs helped us collectively share a message of hope with countless victims and survivors."

"Through the Journey of Hope domestic violence awareness tour, Verizon Wireless was able to join forces with local communities to make a difference," said Elva Lima, executive director of community relations for Verizon Wireless.  "We've formed lasting relationships with individuals and organizations who will be our partners in our quest to end this terrible epidemic."

The Journey of Hope began on Oct. 2, 2011, in Green Bay, Wis. and ended in Dallas on Oct. 30, 2011, and stopped in the following cities:

• Green Bay, Wis. (Oct. 2)
• Philadelphia (Oct. 5)
• Washington, D.C. (Oct. 8 – 9)
• Atlanta (Oct. 11)
• Chicago (Oct. 16)
• Los Angeles (Oct. 20)
• San Francisco (Oct. 21)
• Dallas (Oct. 30)

Those interested in supporting victims of domestic violence can still do so by texting "HOPE" to 41010 to make a one-time $10 donation to NNEDV, the largest network of state domestic violence coalitions in the nation.  Donations will support NNEDV's awareness and prevention efforts and provide domestic violence victims with necessary resources.  Verizon Wireless will waive text messaging fees and 100 percent of each $10 donation will go to NNEDV.  The $10 donation will appear on customers' next regular monthly bill as a part of the text-to-donate campaign.

In addition, through HopeLine, Verizon's phone recycling program, the company collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories in any condition from any carrier and puts them to work in the community by turning them into support for domestic violence survivors.  Phones collected through HopeLine recycling drives are either refurbished and sold or recycled, and proceeds are donated to organizations that work against domestic violence in the form of cash grants and prepaid Verizon Wireless phones for survivors.  Phones that cannot be refurbished are disposed of in an environmentally sound way.  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 Wireless continues to raise awareness about this important social issue by introducing the Samsung Intensity™ II in Purple, which customers were able to purchase starting Sept. 29. The color purple has symbolized anti-domestic violence efforts for more than 20 years.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 107.7 million total wireless connections, including 90.7 million retail customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 83,000 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.

About NNEDV
NNEDV, a 501(c)(3) organization 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 victims and advocacy programs. NNEDV has been a premiere national organization advancing the movement against domestic violence for the past 17 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 about NNEDV, please visit www.nnedv.org.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless