Verizon Wireless Presents HopeLine Law Enforcement Partnership Award to Worcester, Massachusetts Police Chief

18 October 2006

Verizon Wireless presented its HopeLine(R) Law Enforcement Partnership Award to Worcester, Massachusetts Police Chief Gary Gemme in a ceremony held today in Boston. The HopeLine Law Enforcement Partnership Award recognizes outstanding work by law enforcement agencies in preventing domestic violence and honors the efforts of public safety organizations across the country committed to reducing domestic violence, providing support to victims, raising awareness of the issue and educating communities about domestic violence.

In honor of Chief Gemme's work in this area, Verizon Wireless presented a $10,000 financial grant to Daybreak, the community-based domestic violence prevention program at the Worcester YWCA.

"Verizon Wireless works with law enforcement officials every day in Massachusetts and around the country on a wide range of public safety issues, and we're proud to highlight the efforts of Chief Gemme and all levels of law enforcement to raise awareness of domestic violence," commented Bob Stott, New England president of Verizon Wireless. "Through our HopeLine program and our Partnership award, we will continue to raise awareness of domestic violence and its consequences at home and in the workplace, and most importantly, help victims and those who support them."

Chief Gemme is the third recipient of the HopeLine Law Enforcement Partnership Award. In September 2005, it was presented to Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist and the inaugural award was presented to the New Orleans Police Foundation and the Domestic Violence Task Force of the New Orleans Police Department in March 2005.

Verizon Wireless created HopeLine more than 10 years ago to put wireless products and services to work to prevent domestic violence and raise awareness of the issue. Today, the multi-faceted program includes a successful wireless phone recycling program (any make or model, from any wireless carrier), financial support for regional and national non-profit domestic violence organizations, community and corporate awareness programs, and partnerships with agencies, professional sports teams, educational institutions and corporations nationwide. Donations are accepted year-round at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide.

For additional information, visit the HopeLine Web site at http://www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 54.8 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

Source: prnewswire

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