Answer The Call To Help Domestic Violence Survivors By Donating Old Wireless Phones

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- If you were one of the 9 million people that purchased a new iPhone 5 when it went on sale recently, you now have another decision to make – what do you do with your old phone?  Here's a great option: donate it, and help save lives.

This month, Verizon Wireless is asking individuals to donate their no-longer-used wireless phones at any Verizon retail store as part of its HopeLine program during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Phones, chargers and accessories from any provider are refurbished and donated to domestic violence shelters to provide lifelines of support to victims of abuse.  

"The life span of the average phone in the U.S. is about 18 months, but many people hold onto their phones long after they've upgraded," said Mariano Legaz, region president of Verizon Wireless. "Donating old phones to HopeLine is an easy way to make a big difference during Domestic Violence Awareness Month."

The Verizon Wireless HopeLine program provides wireless phones and airtime to victims of domestic violence, and cash grants to local shelters and nonprofit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention, awareness and advocacy. In 2012, Floridians alone donated more than 36,000 phones to HopeLine.  

Since 2001, HopeLine has collected more than 10 million phones, awarded more than $18 million in cash grants to prevention and awareness programs nationwide, and donated more than 150,000 HopeLine phones with 450 million minutes of airtime to domestic violence victims and organizations. 

To learn more about HopeLine from Verizon, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 100.1 million retail customers, including 94.3 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 73,000 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.  For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://news.verizonwireless.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews. 

SOURCE Verizon Wireless