Photo: Nationwide Donation Drive Nets $200,000 Worth of Goods for Domestic Violence Victims

More than 800 Verizon Volunteers Support Domestic Violence Programs in 200 Communities

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Verizon volunteers nationwide commemorated Domestic Violence Awareness Month by donating in October more than $200,000 worth of new and unused clothing, personal care products and household items to domestic violence victims and their children.

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"Victims often flee with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. Even the smallest of items - a new comb, baby diapers, or a new sweater - can make a world of difference to someone who has lost everything just to stay alive," said Sue Else, president of the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Fund. "Verizon volunteers went above and beyond the call of duty, collecting about 1,000 boxes full of donated items. On behalf of all the victims who will be receiving these generous donations, we thank you!"

NNEDV Fund partnered with the Verizon Foundation to organize the nationwide drive. Volunteers at more than 300 Verizon, Verizon Business and Verizon Wireless locations collected donations during the first week of October to be delivered to 200 shelters. Many locations also organized public awareness events to educate employees about the pervasiveness of domestic violence.

"Sixty-five percent of the women we serve don't plan on being in shelter. They arrive in their pajamas with their kids in tow," said Melissa Shulz, volunteer services administrator for Battered Women and Children's Shelter in San Antonia, TX. "Donation drives like the one organized by Verizon volunteers is how we are able to provide the comfort of home to women and children fleeing abuse."

"Raising awareness of the widespread problem of domestic violence and aiding in its prevention is one of the key missions of the Verizon Foundation," said Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston. "Domestic violence is an issue that affects everyone, and we are tremendously proud that so many of our Verizon volunteers have volunteered their own time and resources to support such a worthy cause."

About NNEDV Fund

The National Network to End Domestic Violence Fund (NNEDV Fund) is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing public education, training and technical assistance to maintain and develop the professional expertise of advocates working to end domestic violence. The NNEDV Fund strives to strengthen advocates as organizers and activists in the tradition of social change movements. For more information, please visit www.nnedvfund.org

About the Verizon Foundation

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, is committed to improving literacy and K-12 education through its signature program Thinkfinity.org; fostering awareness and prevention of domestic violence; and promoting the use of technology in health-care delivery. In 2006, the foundation awarded more than $69 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also matched charitable donations from Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $29 million in combined contributions. Under the foundation's Verizon Volunteer initiative, one of the nation's largest employee-volunteer programs, company employees and retirees have also contributed nearly 3 million hours of community service since Verizon's inception in 2000.