Verizon Wireless Helps Domestic Violence Victims in Communities Across the Country; HopeLine(SM) and Educational Programs Assist Victims with Local Efforts.

BEDMINSTER, N.J., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Verizon Wireless is highlighting several recent HopeLine program efforts in communities across the country. Through its national HopeLine program, Verizon Wireless has facilitated numerous educational and life-saving programs and activities to help victims of domestic violence in local communities.

"As a company that takes pride in working to offer wireless service to every community across the U.S., it's important that we give back to those communities by reaching out to those in need," said Denny Strigl, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless. "For almost 10 years, our HopeLine program has utilized the financial, technological and creative corporate resources at Verizon Wireless to create special domestic violence awareness and prevention programs that cater to the specific needs of individual cities, towns and neighborhoods."

Across the country, Verizon Wireless has joined forces with local schools, government officials and businesses to hold HopeLine phone collection drives, generating funds that were donated to domestic violence charities located in each community. The funds were used mainly to purchase wireless phones with airtime, which were distributed to victims by domestic violence shelters and government emergency responders. Wireless phones, which have been distributed as part of HopeLine since 2001, have proven to be literal lifelines for victims in emergency situations.

In addition, the company has created educational videos, posters and other materials to raise awareness of the domestic violence issue. Recently in the Midwest, an hour-long video program titled "None of Our Business" was created to increase awareness of domestic violence in the workplace. Workshops and seminars, including one titled "Invest in Yourself," in which domestic violence victims in Maryland were given workplace and interview training, makeovers, and voicemail boxes, all to help them begin a successful job search were put in place to help the local community.

[Editor's note: a listing of the regional programs, organized by state, is available below.]

For more information about HopeLine, or to find out how to host a phone recycling drive in your neighborhood, visit http://www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 40.4 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon…