Verizon Awards $50,000 Grant to Wounded Warrior Project

ATLANTA, Dec. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognizing the need for improved mental health services and programs for injured service members, Verizon has awarded a $50,000 grant to support the Wounded Warrior Project's® Combat Stress Recovery Program.  The program addresses mental health and cognitive needs of wounded service members and provides services at key stages during their readjustment process.         

While post-traumatic stress disorder and combat/operational stress are common after wartime experiences, the WWP approaches these issues from the service member's perspective. The stigma attached to mental health issues, access to care concerns, and interpersonal relationship challenges are addressed in the WWP's programs and services.

"The CSRP is uniquely designed to address the mental health needs of injured service members at key stages during their readjustment to civilian life," said Dave Ward, WWP mental health and family services executive vice president.  "The generous support from Verizon assists us in fulfilling our vision of fostering the most successful, well-adjusting generation of wounded service members in our nation's history."

Roger Tang, South area president for Verizon Wireless, said: "It is our privilege to champion this important program. Verizon has been a longtime supporter of our military, and the Wounded Warrior Project's Combat Stress Recovery Program is very much in line with our focus on mental health as we work to educate, empower and support veterans on health and wellness issues. The transition from the battlefield is a critically important process that enables our nation's heroes to lead prosperous lives and enjoy healthy relationships in the years to come."

The Verizon grant to WWP is a combination of $30,000 from the Verizon Foundation and $20,000 from Verizon Wireless' HopeLine^® program.

Overall, the Verizon Foundation has awarded $2.7 million in grants to military- or veteran-focused nonprofits nationwide since 2000, $657,000 of which were grants matching employees' or retirees' donations.

The Verizon Foundation helps people to live healthy, safe and independent lives by addressing disparities in education, healthcare and sustainability. Since 2000, the Verizon Foundation has invested more than half a billion dollars to improve the communities where Verizon employees work and live. Verizon's employees are generous with their donations and their time, having logged more than 6.2 million hours of service to make a positive difference in their communities. For more information, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

HopeLine from Verizon collects no-longer-used wireless devices and accessories to be refurbished and recycled and/or sold with all proceeds benefiting victims of domestic violence. Since launching the program in October 2001, Verizon has funded more than $14.2 million in cash grants for domestic violence organizations across the country and distributed more than 123,000 HopeLine phones.

About Wounded Warrior Project®
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.

About Verizon
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 consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with nearly 96 million retail customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 184,500.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

SOURCE Verizon