Verizon Foundation Announces $80,000 Grant and Employee-Donation Matching Program to Support Tornado Recovery Efforts in Southeastern U.S.

ATLANTA, May 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Verizon Foundation has awarded an $80,000 grant to the Salvation Army, southern territory to assist relief efforts in communities affected by recent tornados.

In addition, the Verizon Foundation will match dollar-for-dollar donations by U.S.-based Verizon employees, up to $1,000 per employee per year, through its disaster relief incentive program. The program will match donations to the American Red Cross, Save the Children and the Salvation Army.

The Verizon Foundation grant will be used to support the Salvation Army's efforts to meet the immediate needs of those affected by the severe storms, including setting up canteens to provide hot meals. Canteens have been dispatched in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee.

"Our hearts go out to the thousands of families affected by the string of severe storms, tornados and flooding across the South," said Verizon Wireless South Area President Roger Tang. "Verizon is proud to join with employees to support the Salvation Army and other wonderful organizations working to support those in need."

Verizon Wireless customers can support relief efforts by making a $10 donation to one of 10 organizations by sending a text message. Donating is easy – customers simply text the specific word to the organization's designated short code:

• American Red Cross Relief:  Text "REDCROSS" to 90999
• Convoy of Hope:  Text "CONVOY" to 50555
• Mississippi Disaster Recovery Fund:  Text "MS" to 27722
• Salvation Army:  Text "GIVE" to 80888
• Samaritan's Feet:  Text "SHOES" to 85944
• Save the Children:  Text "4TORNADO" or "TWISTER" to 20222
• Tushka Disaster Relief Fund:  Text "OKGIVE" to 27722
• United Way of Russell and Washington Counties:  Text "SUPPORT" to 27722
• United Way of Central Alabama:  Text "TORNADO" to 50555
• World Vision:  Text "TORNADO" to 20222

Verizon Wireless always waives text-messaging fees for disaster relief, so text messages are free when used to make donations to any of these organizations, and 100 percent of each $10 donation goes to the relief organization.  

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, uses its technology, financial resources and partnerships to address critical social issues, with a focus on education and domestic violence prevention. In 2010, the foundation awarded nearly $67 million to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered nearly 6 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: 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, with more than 104 million total connections nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 196,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon