Verizon Wins 'Stevie Award' for Literacy Program

NEW YORK, June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon has won a 2005 Stevie Award for Corporate Social Responsibility for its signature national literacy program, Verizon Reads.

The American Business Awards, named Stevies for the Greek word "crowned," honor great performances in the workplace. The winners, in dozens of categories, were announced last night at a dinner at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel.

"We are honored to receive this recognition, but we recognize that much work remains to be done," said Andy Brown, president of Verizon Reads. "More than 40 million Americans, including 8 million students, have low literacy skills. As a result, they can't reach their full potential at a time when more and more emphasis is being placed on literacy and technological skills to qualify for good-paying jobs."

Verizon Reads is a national campaign to increase community awareness and to generate additional funding and support of literacy programs for adults, children and families. In 2004, Verizon Reads awarded 900 grants totaling more than $18 million to such programs as Reach Out and Read, the American Foundation for the Blind and LULAC National Education Service Centers. In addition, through a company incentive program, Verizon Volunteers, employees are encouraged to volunteer for literacy efforts in their communities.

With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of 212,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom provides customers based in 28 states with wireline and other telecommunications services, including broadband. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com/.

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