Verizon Foundation Donates $25,000 to National Domestic Violence Prevention Organization

FOXBOROUGH, Mass., Nov. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- There were no rock stars or fireworks at the pregame show at Gillette Stadium on Sunday (Nov. 21). Instead, Patriots fans were treated to a more meaningful event at which a national domestic violence prevention organization received a check for $25,000.

At the 50-yard line, Verizon New England President Donna Cupelo presented the donation from the Verizon Foundation to Ted Bunch, co-founder of A Call To Men, a leading national men's organization committed to ending violence against women and girls.  Also on hand for the presentation were Craig Norberg-Bohm, men's initiative coordinator at Jane Doe Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; and Andre Tippett, executive director of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation.

Verizon is the official telecommunications partner of the New England Patriots, and as part of this partnership the Patriots designated Nov. 21 as Verizon Day at Gillette Stadium.

"Domestic violence is a problem that affects all members of families and tears at the basic fabric of our society," said Cupelo.  "These funds will go a long way in helping to raise awareness of domestic violence and assist those affected.  Verizon is proud to work with A Call To Men and Jane Doe to help engage more men in the movement to end violence and discrimination against women and girls."

Bunch said: "Verizon is to be commended for their support of this important work.  A Call to Men believes that preventing domestic and sexual violence is primarily the responsibility of men. To do that, well-meaning men, who for the most part don't see themselves as part of the problem, need to get involved.  Thanks to the support of organizations like Verizon, we are producing a national movement of men dedicated to this cause."

Verizon has a long-standing commitment to raising awareness of domestic violence and aiding in its prevention. Since 2007, the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, has awarded more than $15 million grants to nonprofits that support victims of domestic violence.  

Through Verizon's HopeLine® program, more than 7 million phones have been collected and recycled or refurbished to support domestic violence survivors, generating $8 million that has been given to local agencies since 2001. For more information about HopeLine from Verizon, go to www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

The Verizon Foundation 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 93 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 employs a diverse workforce of more than 195,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon