Verizon Wireless, MSU Coach Izzo Announce Statewide HopeLine Drive During Domestic Violence Awareness Month

EAST LANSING, Mich., Oct. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, a technology leader with the nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE network, announced today a statewide drive to collect 3,000 no-longer used wireless phones, accessories and tablets between now and Nov. 30, 2014. The launch of the drive coincides with Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. Michigan State University Athletic Director Mark Hollis, and law enforcement officials met today at Spartan Stadium to discuss the need for increased awareness.

"Verizon Wireless' goal is to place phones in the hands of as many domestic violence survivors across Michigan as possible so they can call for help when needed," said Verizon Wireless Region President Lauren Love-Wright. "Our customers are crucial in helping us make this happen."

In 2014, Verizon Wireless donated $107,000 to six Michigan nonprofits that work to end domestic violence. At today's event one of those partners, MSU Safe Place, received a $25,000 donation. MSU Safe Place provides free and confidential advocacy, emergency shelter, counseling, support groups, safety planning, information and referrals to survivors of violence and their minor children.

"Organizations that assist domestic violence survivors in Michigan, including MSU Safe Place, continue to experience high call volumes as more individuals and families come forward in need of help, support, programming and housing," said MSU Safe Place Director Holly Rosen. "Donating a previously used device is a simple way to make a small donation that could save a life."

"Together with Verizon we can raise critical awareness of this issue, and to engage our fans and the greater community," said Tom Izzo, Head Coach for Michigan State University Men's Basketball team. "Anyone can help. Anyone can clean out the junk drawer and donate those old phones for good use. We invite the community and our fans everywhere to donate their phones at Verizon stores across the state of Michigan, and we thank Verizon for their partnership and for raising awareness to this important cause."

"MSU, through our partnership with Verizon, is committed to this cause in a number of ways including supporting Verizon HopeLine," said Mark Hollis, Director of Athletics at Michigan State University. "Domestic violence is something we take seriously because our actions in the community and in our daily lives serve as a model to so many people, including many kids and young people who have been empowered and positively impacted through participation in athletics."

"It is so valuable to have organizations such as MSU Safe Place to follow up with victims after the law enforcement response, to offer emotional support, shelter, safety planning, court support, assistance with Personal Protection Orders, and Verizon Hopeline phones," said First Lt. Gabe Covey with the Michigan State Police.

Historically, domestic violence organizations and police departments report an increase in domestic violence surrounding the holiday season. Shelters are often pushed to their capacity. Donated phones can help victims of abuse feel safer and less isolated by giving them a way to call emergency or support services, employers, family and friends.

Wireless phones given to HopeLine are refurbished, generating proceeds for the program through both cash grants and phones to those who need help. Refurbished phones from HopeLine — complete with 3,000 minutes of wireless service and text-messaging service — are provided to local domestic violence agencies or local government and law enforcement agencies for use with their domestic violence clients. If donated phones are unsalvageable, they are recycled in an environmentally sound way under a zero-landfill policy.

Since 2001, Verizon has collected more than 10.8 million no-longer-used wireless phones nationwide to assist programs that help the nearly one in four women and one in seven men affected by domestic violence. The cash grants generated through HopeLine are significant — amounting to more than $21.4 million since the program began 13 years ago. Phones can be dropped off at any Verizon Wireless corporate retail store. To find a nearby company-owned store, visit http://www.verizonwireless.com/stores.

ABOUT MSU SAFE PLACE

The primary purpose of MSU Safe Place is to ensure the personal safety, welfare and dignity of those who experience relationship violence and stalking within the MSU community.

Goals include:
(a) Providing temporary and safe shelter, advocacy, support and referrals for MSU students, staff, faculty or their partners, as well as members of the Greater Lansing community, who experience domestic violence, including minor children of those who are abused.
(b) Increasing community awareness about relationship violence in the hopes of improving prevention efforts and community responsiveness to this issue.
(c) Offering a learning environment for members of the community, through volunteer and internship opportunities.
(d) Michigan State University Safe Place is the only relationship violence shelter on a college campus in the nation.

ABOUT VERIZON WIRELESS

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE network.  As the largest wireless company in the U.S., Verizon Wireless serves 104.6 million retail customers, including 98.6 million retail postpaid customers.  Verizon Wireless is wholly owned by Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.  For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://www.verizonwireless.com/news  or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews. 

SOURCE Verizon Wireless