Verizon Wireless and Country Music Star Mica Roberts Combine Talent and Resources to Help Raise Awareness About Domestic Violence

Verizon Wireless and Country Music Star Mica Roberts Combine Talent and Resources to Help Raise Awareness About Domestic Violence

Country Artist to Host Cell Phone Collections at Summer Concerts and Make Store Appearances at Select Verizon Wireless Communications Stores

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, long dedicated to domestic violence awareness and prevention, is teaming up with up-and-coming country songstress Mica Roberts to address this social ill. Roberts, who is represented by Toby Keith's Show Dog Records label and is currently on tour with the legendary star, begins this effort at her upcoming Charlotte concert at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on June 20.

Roberts first teamed up with Keith in 2003 as a backup singer. Now a headlining solo act for the 'Biggest & Baddest' summer tour, Roberts' single "Things A Mama Don't Know" conveys some of the trauma experienced through domestic violence, an issue of personal interest to the artist. Roberts will perform during the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) annual conference in July.

"Domestic violence is a form of abuse felt by women of all walks of life across the country that often remains unspoken or kept secret," says Roberts. "I believe in the strong principles behind Verizon Wireless' pledge to eradicate domestic violence and look forward to contributing to the company's efforts to bring more attention to this national epidemic."

Verizon Wireless' efforts to help end domestic violence include the company's longstanding HopeLine(R) phone recycling program that uses wireless services and equipment to assist victims of domestic violence. HopeLine(R) collects used wireless phones, regardless of carrier, make, model, or technology and either refurbishes, recycles or sells these phones. Verizon Wireless then uses the proceeds from the sale of any donated phone to fund non-profit agencies and to purchase wireless phones for victims of domestic violence.

Verizon Wireless' HopeLine(R) program also makes financial grants to regional and national domestic violence organizations, such as the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and other select non-profit community interest groups and agencies. The grants fund workshops, classes and other initiatives to aid victims and help raise awareness of domestic violence.

Roberts and Verizon Wireless are teaming up to promote domestic violence prevention and awareness efforts through cell phone collections at several concerts along the 'Biggest & Baddest' tour and select Verizon Wireless communications store appearances by Roberts. Local shelters will receive HopeLine(R) grants in conjunction with Mica's concert stops.

"Verizon Wireless admires artists who use their musical talent to connect with fans and address the devastating and heartbreaking cycle domestic violence takes on women, children and families," says Carly Culbertson, Verizon Wireless' Carolinas/Tennessee region HopeLine(R) manager. "We are excited about the endless opportunities our collaboration will bring to this cause."

Today, Verizon Wireless has collected more than 4.5 million old cell phones and distributed more than 60,000 HopeLine(R) phones with the equivalent of 180 million minutes of service and other features for use by victims, survivors and organizations.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 67.2 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: 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 .

About HopeLine(R)

Verizon Wireless encourages customers who are upgrading their wireless phone to participate in its exclusive HopeLine(R) phone-recycling program. The national HopeLine(R) program distributes previously owned wireless phones to victims of domestic violence, supports non-profit domestic violence advocacy groups and provides an environmentally safe method of recycling phones. Donations are accepted at all 2,300-plus Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country. For additional information, customers can also visit http://www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline .

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Verizon Wireless

CONTACT: Carly Culbertson of Verizon Wireless, +1-864-987-2006,
Carolyn.Culbertson@verizonwireless.com; or Megan Smith of TKO Artist
Management for Verizon Wireless, +1-615-383-5017,
megan@tkoartistmanagement.com

Web site:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline
http://www.verizonwireless.com/
http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia

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