Verizon Launches 'Tools for School' Campaign to Collect Supplies for Schools Throughout the Country

NEW YORK, July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The Verizon Foundation has launched its annual Tools for School campaign to collect back-to-school supplies to assist schools and nonprofit organizations.  The supplies include new pens, pencils, rulers, crayons, backpacks and other items children need to start the school year.

Verizon is inviting the public to join the effort by making an online donation through DonorsChoose.org, a nonprofit organization that allows contributors to donate to a myriad of education projects at public schools throughout the country. Those wishing to take part can visit www.donorschoose.org/verizon and select a project to support. Contributions can range from $1 to the entire cost of a project. The campaign runs through Aug. 13.

"The Verizon Foundation has a long history of supporting education," said Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston.  "Whether it's providing free educational resources to teachers and students through Verizon Thinkfinity or providing materials through Tools for School, Verizon will continue to support efforts to give children the best opportunity to succeed in the classroom."

Verizon Thinkfinity (www.thinkfinity.org) is a free educational website that contains thousands of free educational resources to make learning fun and improve educational achievement. Parent-friendly resources, in-class activities and homework help can be found quickly and searched by grade level, keyword or subject. Verizon Thinkfinity also offers literacy resources to assist adult learners and a comprehensive professional-development program that enables teachers to sign up for free online or face-to-face training.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational website, Verizon Thinkfinity (www.thinkfinity.org), and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2009, the Verizon Foundation awarded $67.9 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $26.1 million in combined contributions to nonprofits.  Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 5 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 92 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon