Verizon Supports West Virginia Nonprofit Agencies With Nearly $90,000 in Grants in November

CHARLESTON, W.Va., Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon announced today its commitment of financial grants amounting to nearly $90,000 in November to West Virginia nonprofit agencies promoting domestic violence prevention and education.

"With today's economic climate, we know domestic violence agencies and shelters are hurting and Verizon has stepped up to meet the needs of families that they serve across West Virginia," said Mark Frazier, president–Ohio/Pennsylvania/West Virginia Region, Verizon Wireless. "We don't ever want a shelter to be forced to turn anyone away."

Funding for the grants comes through the Verizon Foundation. From these cash grants to matching its employees' contributions, Verizon remains committed to helping as many agencies as possible in West Virginia.

Nine domestic violence organizations are being supported through these Verizon Foundation grants:

• Branches in Huntington;
• Comprehensive Women's Service Council in Beckley;
• Contact in Huntington;
• Family Crisis Center in Keyser;
• Family Crisis Intervention Center in Parkersburg;
• Opportunity Council Inc. in West Union;
• SAFE in Welch;
• Tug Valley Recovery in Williamson, and;
• YWCA of Charleston.

A number of organizations have reported a spike in domestic violence calls for help brought on by the pressure of the souring economy. Agencies have begun struggling with the need for extended stays at shelters and are also experiencing increased calls for help to crisis hotlines.

"The West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence applauds Verizon's corporate stance to end domestic violence by supporting community-based organizations that provide services, safety, and hope," said Sue Julian, team coordinator for the Coalition. "Grants awarded by the Verizon Foundation help strengthen outreach efforts and support programs, including those focused on educating teenagers about healthy relationships and dating violence prevention. WVCADV is grateful for Verizon's history and leadership in advancing safety for all."

Verizon also supports domestic violence agencies through its HopeLine® program from Verizon Wireless. At West Virginia's 10 company-owned retail stores and through pre-paid mail options, West Virginians can easily donate no-longer-used phones and accessories to the HopeLine program.

Verizon provides those refurbished wireless phones and airtime to nonprofit organizations for use by domestic violence survivors, as well as cash grants to local shelters and nonprofits that focus on prevention, awareness and advocacy. Verizon is also reminding its West Virginia employees to give during this time of escalated need. The Verizon Foundation supports personal philanthropic giving made by Verizon employees and retirees. Employees can earn cash grants for the qualified nonprofits where they volunteer at least 50 hours, and can have their charitable donations go further by utilizing the foundation's Matching Gifts Programs.

"The need is great and the time is now," Frazier said. "We're asking everyone in our company to step up as we enter the holiday season, and we hope others follow our lead."

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About the Verizon Foundation

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.

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.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless