Japan-Relief Contributions From Verizon Foundation and Company Employees Top $800,000

NEW YORK – April 5, 2011 –

The Verizon Foundation and Verizon employees have pledged more than $800,000 to support earthquake-tsunami relief efforts in Japan.

The donations were raised through the Verizon employee disaster-relief matching-gift program. Under the program, the Verizon Foundation will match employee donations dollar for dollar, up to $1,000 per employee, to three nonprofit organizations - American Red Cross, Save the Children and World Vision - that are providing aid in Japan.

"Verizon employees have a strong tradition of mobilizing quickly to assist communities in need," said Verizon Foundation President Rose Kirk. "We are proud to join the thousands of Verizon employees and customers who have offered support for the people of Japan during the long recovery process."

The employee matching-gift campaign is part of Verizon's overall efforts to assist relief efforts in Japan.

Verizon Wireless has made it easy for customers to support relief efforts in Japan by implementing a mobile-giving program to give customers a secure and quick way to contribute to charitable organizations.  Customers can make a $10 donation by simply sending a text message and may choose from among 10 organizations aiding those in need in Japan. 

To help its customers contact loved ones in Japan, Verizon has enabled most wireless and residential customers to make free calls to that country through April 10. In addition, Verizon Wireless post-paid customers in the U.S. will receive free text and multimedia messaging to Japan, also through April 10.

Verizon Wireless also produced a public service announcement featuring leading Asian-American actors who donated their time for the filming.  The announcement encourages donations to further the relief efforts and has run on FiOS, V CAST and Verizon's online sites.  To view the announcement, see a list of relief organizations accepting donation pledges for Japan through text messaging, and learn of the company's other relief efforts, visit http://news.vzw.com/JapanInfo.html. 

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, uses its technology, financial resources and partnerships to address critical social issues, with a focus on education and domestic violence prevention. In 2010, the foundation awarded nearly $67 million to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered nearly 6 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 94.1 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 194,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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HAVEN Receives $20,000 Grant From the Verizon Foundation for Education, Prevention

PONTIAC, Mich. – September 22, 2010 –

HAVEN has received a $20,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation to support the nonprofit organization's focus on education and prevention. HAVEN delivers services to protect victims of domestic violence and sexual assault across Oakland County.

The Verizon Foundation's donation is the third in a series of grants that has fully funded the production of "Daisy Tells a Secret," a groundbreaking DVD designed to help adults navigate age-appropriate conversations with children, aged 4 to 8, on the challenging subject of sexual abuse. The film was created by One of Us Films, a Detroit-based media production and distribution company.

"Daisy Tells a Secret" is an animated story about personal safety and body ownership and includes interviews with psychology, safety and medical experts. In total, the Verizon Foundation has contributed $70,000 toward this project.

Victor Mack, director-retail sales, Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in Michigan, and a HAVEN board member, presented the $20,000 grant on Sept. 17 to Beth Morrison, HAVEN CEO, at the Verizon Wireless store in Royal Oak. At the presentation, Morrison described how the film will help youngsters. 

"Daisy tells her story of being sexually assaulted," Morrison said.  "Within that story, she's able to talk about sensitive issues while relating to kids in a comfortable and safe manner. In the video, Daisy learns the difference between a good secret and a bad secret, and she helps kids take ownership of their bodies by being aware of what's appropriate and inappropriate in terms of touching."

Two versions of the instructional DVDs have been produced - one for parents and the other for use by schools, educators, health care providers, and daycare and prevention centers. The parents' DVD is available for $19.95. The versions for professional use range from $49.95 to $195.95. The DVDs are available at www.daisytellsasecret.com.

Domestic violence awareness and prevention is one of the core initiatives of Verizon's philanthropic focus, and the company has a long-standing history for supporting related initiatives. In addition to the Verizon Foundation's grant support, the company's HopeLine® program collects no-longer-used wireless phones and equipment in any condition from any service provider. The used phones are either refurbished or recycled. With the funds raised from the sale of the refurbished phones, Verizon Wireless donates wireless phones and airtime to survivors, and provides funding and other contributions to non-profit domestic violence shelters and prevention programs across the country.

Since HopeLine's national phone recycling and re-use program was launched in 2001, Verizon Wireless has collected more than 7 million phones and awarded more than $7.9 million in cash grants to domestic violence agencies and organizations throughout the country.

HAVEN is a nationally recognized nonprofit that has been giving hope a voice by working toward eliminating domestic violence and sexual assault for 35 years. The nonprofit offers treatment and prevention services as well as educational programs across Oakland County and the surrounding communities. For more information about programs and services, visit www.haven-oakland.org or phone 248-334-1284. For more information about HAVEN, contact Melissa Bunker at Melissa@MarketWriteMichigan.com or 313-886-9074.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational website, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2009, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $67.5 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 an additional $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 92 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 last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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One Economy Receives $125,000 Grant From the Verizon Foundation to Support Education and Leadership Programs at Three Delta Region High Schools

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – April 14, 2011 –

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, awarded a $125,000 grant on Thursday (April 14) to One Economy to support education and leadership programs at three Delta region high schools.

The grant, announced at a ceremony at the Governor's Conference Room at the state Capitol, is the second part of a $250,000 commitment the Verizon Foundation made to support One Economy's Digital Connectors program at Dumas, Osceola and Lake Village high schools.  Gov. Mike Beebe participated in the announcement.

Through the program, students will develop leadership skills and receive technology training that provides the skills necessary to compete in today's economy. Those students will then volunteer in their communities, offering more than 4,000 hours of service.

Verizon Foundation President Rose Kirk said: "As a native Arkansan, and an individual very familiar with the needs of the Delta region, it gives me great pride to continue this investment in Arkansas' youth. The Digital Connectors program will allow these wonderful young people to develop the leadership, technological and community-oriented skills they will need to be successful in whatever career they choose."

Alan Greenlee, One Economy's vice president of programs, said: "Digital Connectors recognizes young people's natural affinity for embracing new technology. Through Verizon's generous grant, we are able to create a new generation of technology ambassadors who will promote digital training and inclusion throughout the Delta region."

Supporting the use of technology in education is a key mission for the Verizon Foundation. In addition to supporting programs such as One Economy, the foundation also supports education through Thinkfinity.org, an interactive online program that provides thousands of free educational resources for use in and out of the classroom.

"Our industry is advancing at an incredible pace every day, so it's critical that today's students receive technology training, and receive it as early as possible," said Steve Smith, president - South Central region, Verizon Wireless.  "The benefit of this program is twofold; students receive valuable training, and in turn, they give back to their communities."

The Verizon Foundation uses its technology, financial resources and partnerships to address critical social issues, with a focus on education and domestic violence prevention. In 2010, the foundation awarded nearly $67 million to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered nearly 6 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 94.1 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 194,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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Verizon Foundation Awards $100,000 Grant to Sight Savers America to Expand Its School-Based Rural Health Care Program

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – May 18, 2011 –

The Verizon Foundation on Wednesday (May 18) awarded Sight Savers America a $100,000 grant to expand the use of wireless technology for the organization's KidCheck Program, a K-12 school-based health initiative that provides annual comprehensive health screenings for children in participating school systems. 

The grant builds on a successful Verizon Foundation grant in 2010 that piloted the use of wireless KidCheck technology in four schools in the Bullock County School System.  The technology was developed by Auburn University.

Jeff Mango, president - Georgia/Alabama region of Verizon Wireless, said the grant has the potential to affect the lives of more than 16,000 Alabama students, particularly in rural areas of the state. 

"We see the exciting potential of technology to help address disparities in the access to quality health care in rural areas," Mango said. "Verizon is proud to help Sight Savers build on the initial success of the KidCheck partnership. Supporting programs that use technology to improve access to health care is among Verizon's top priorities."

Jeff Haddox, founder and CEO of Sight Savers, said the new grant will expand the program to an additional eight to 10 school systems and link the KidCheck database in real time with the Sight Savers database.

"In the past, KidCheck used a manual screening process, leaving school nurses with the daunting task of going through a stack of paperwork, reaching out to parents, and sending follow-up paperwork to Sight Savers and various health care providers," Haddox said. "This often took months, which slowed the coordination of follow-up care for the children." 

The Verizon Foundation grant will fund the hardware and software needed to make the KidCheck screening process completely paperless.  The grant will fund a central information repository so data can be kept electronically.  Additionally, the grant will fund the training of this new technology for participating college nursing school faculty and students who administer the KidCheck screenings.

To date, KidCheck has been implemented in more than 35 Alabama school systems, in conjunction with more than 20 Alabama two- and four-year college nursing schools.  During KidCheck, eight to 10 stations are set up in a school gym to screen for height and weight; heart, blood pressure and respiratory rates; and to provide eye, ear, nose and throat exams.  Sight Savers provides case-managed follow-up care for children failing a KidCheck vision screening.  

"Sight Savers intends to use this grant to take KidCheck to a whole new level and to build an unmatched health care network for children in need that will set the bar for other states," Haddox said. "Verizon is making it possible for Alabama to lead the nation in preventative health screenings in our schools."

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, uses its technology, financial resources and partnerships to address critical social issues, with a focus on education and domestic violence prevention. In 2010, the foundation awarded nearly $67 million to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

KidCheck became a department of Sight Savers America in February.  KidCheck was initially launched by Governor Bob Riley in 2008 as a state program and was led by the Alabama Rural Action Commission with the strong support of the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH).  The Sight Savers America KidCheck Program has continued strategic partnerships with Governor Robert Bentley's Administration and various state agencies including ALSDE, ADPH, and the Alabama Rural Development Office.

Sight Savers is a Birmingham-based nonprofit working in eight states and reaching approximately 250,000 students. The organization coordinates all necessary follow-up eye care services from the State Vision Program that screens every kindergarten, second grade and fourth grade public school student in Alabama. Sight Savers unique case management protocol ensures that qualifying children receive free follow-up eye care treatment including eye glasses, vision aids and even necessary eye surgery.

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, with more than 104 million total connections nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 196,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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Verizon Foundation Announces $80,000 Grant and Employee-Donation Matching Program to Support Tornado Recovery Efforts in Southeastern U.S.

ATLANTA – May 5, 2011 –

The Verizon Foundation has awarded an $80,000 grant to the Salvation Army, southern territory to assist relief efforts in communities affected by recent tornados.

In addition, the Verizon Foundation will match dollar-for-dollar donations by U.S.-based Verizon employees, up to $1,000 per employee per year, through its disaster relief incentive program. The program will match donations to the American Red Cross, Save the Children and the Salvation Army.

The Verizon Foundation grant will be used to support the Salvation Army's efforts to meet the immediate needs of those affected by the severe storms, including setting up canteens to provide hot meals. Canteens have been dispatched in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee.

"Our hearts go out to the thousands of families affected by the string of severe storms, tornados and flooding across the South," said Verizon Wireless South Area President Roger Tang. "Verizon is proud to join with employees to support the Salvation Army and other wonderful organizations working to support those in need."

Verizon Wireless customers can support relief efforts by making a $10 donation to one of 10 organizations by sending a text message. Donating is easy - customers simply text the specific word to the organization's designated short code:

American Red Cross Relief:  Text "REDCROSS" to 90999Convoy of Hope:  Text "CONVOY" to 50555Mississippi Disaster Recovery Fund:  Text "MS" to 27722Salvation Army:  Text "GIVE" to 80888Samaritan's Feet:  Text "SHOES" to 85944Save the Children:  Text "4TORNADO" or "TWISTER" to 20222Tushka Disaster Relief Fund:  Text "OKGIVE" to 27722United Way of Russell and Washington Counties:  Text "SUPPORT" to 27722United Way of Central Alabama:  Text "TORNADO" to 50555World Vision:  Text "TORNADO" to 20222

Verizon Wireless always waives text-messaging fees for disaster relief, so text messages are free when used to make donations to any of these organizations, and 100 percent of each $10 donation goes to the relief organization.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, uses its technology, financial resources and partnerships to address critical social issues, with a focus on education and domestic violence prevention. In 2010, the foundation awarded nearly $67 million to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered nearly 6 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, with more than 104 million total connections nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 196,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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