Families in the New York Metro Area Connect on Mother's Day Using the Verizon Wireless Network

- Free wireless calls via Skype Mobile, Skype Internet, global and wireless devices

- Customers can purchase a Palm Pre Plus on sale for $29.99 or a Pixi Plus for $29.99 and get another one free

- Donate a no-longer-used wireless phone to the company's HopeLine community relations program, and help women who are struggling with domestic abuse have a better Mother's Day

ORANGEBURG, N.Y., May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, provider of the nation's largest and most reliable 3G network, today announced it will provide "Free Calls to Mom" on Mother's Day weekend.  All weekend long, Verizon Wireless will provide free wireless calls at participating stores to anywhere around the globe, helping families connect with each other even when geography prevents them from being together.

"Mother's Day is traditionally a time for families to get together and express their appreciation for Mom," said Pat Devlin, regional president, Verizon Wireless. "Verizon Wireless is lending a hand to those families that don't have the opportunity to share the day in person and giving them the ability to connect, no matter where in the world they may be. By providing access to our entire lineup of products and services, we hope families will at least be able to tell Mom 'Happy Mother's Day' even if they aren't able to see her."

Customers can make free calls on Saturday, May 8th, and Sunday, May 9th at 10 Verizon Wireless Communications stores throughout the New York metro region. Each store will have a series of devices to use for a limited time, including smartphones that use Skype mobile, and video conference via Skype Internet will be available.  The participating stores include:

• Atlantic Terminal – 139 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn
• 134 W 34th Street between 6th and 7th Avenue, Manhattan
• Queens Center Mall – Floral Park, Queens
• 355 North Central Avenue, Hartsdale
• 166 W 125th Street, Harlem
• 4251 Broadway, Washington Heights
• Cross County Mall - Yonkers
• 153 East Fordham Road, Bronx
• Jersey Gardens Mall – Elizabeth, NJ
• 744 Broad Street, Newark, NJ

Additionally, Verizon Wireless is offering a limited-time promotion on two popular smartphones. Customers can purchase the Palm Pre Plus for $29.99 or buy a Pixi Plus for $29.99 and get another one free, making great gifts for Moms that are constantly on the “go.” Phones require new 2 year activation on voice plan with $29.99 data pack or higher.  Activation fees, taxes and other charges apply.

Customers can also donate a no-longer-used wireless phone to the company's HopeLine community relations program, and help women who are struggling with domestic abuse have a better Mother's Day.

For more information on Verizon Wireless, please visit www.verizonwireless.com or call 1-800-2-JOIN IN.  Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VzW_NYMetro.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 81,000 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