Verizon Reports 2003 HopeLine Donations

Verizon Wireless, Bedminster, N.J., the nation's largest wireless provider, announced 2003 was its most successful year yet in raising funds and collecting no-longer-used wireless phones for its HopeLine(SM) community service program. Through its award-winning program, the company collected more than 900,000 wireless phones for recycling and donated more than $2.3 million in monetary and other contributions to domestic violence shelters and advocacy organizations.

Verizon Wireless' nationwide HopeLine initiatives in 2003 included educational programs, clothing, school supply and personal item drives, as well as the coordination of partnerships and special programs -- including the production of an anti-dating-violence video for Spanish-speaking teens -- to help raise awareness of domestic violence.

HopeLine, launched in 1995, was the nation's first wireless phone collection program run by a service provider. The phones are refurbished and given to shelters for distribution to victims, recycled or sold with all proceeds going to the HopeLine program for distribution to organizations dedicated to raising awareness of domestic violence.

Throughout 2003, Denny Strigl, Verizon Wireless president and CEO, participated in efforts to lobby for domestic violence prevention and discuss the role men play in the prevention of domestic violence. The Capitol Hill meetings included Attorney General John Ashcroft, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson and Senate Leader Tom Daschle.

This year the company held phone collection drives with corporations that include General Electric, Ernst & Young and Publix, a Florida-based grocery chain. A host of local partnerships joined the company's fight against domestic violence including government officials such as Maine Governor John Baldacci, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and New Jersey Senator Diane Allen; and sports teams, including the Chicago Bulls, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Cubs and Phoenix Suns.

Wireless phones and equipment donations from any wireless carrier can be donated at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store or sent to:

   Verizon Wireless HopeLine
   c/o ReCellular Inc
   2555 Bishop Circle W.
   Dexter, MI 48130

For additional information, visit the HopeLine Web site at www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.