- Award Bestowed During October's Domestic Violence Awareness Month Recognizes Verizon Wireless and Verizon Foundation as Business Leaders

- Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown Also Honored

Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation are being honored for their commitment to domestic violence prevention by Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV). The company received MNADV's Business Leader Award at a luncheon today to commemorate October's Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown were also honored for their legislative work this year on behalf of domestic violence victims. Other award winners include: Maryland Delegate Sue Hecht and Janet Blackburn, 2009 Advocacy Award; the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, 2009 Law Enforcement Award; Faizul Khan, 2009 Clergy Award; and the Westminster Police Department, Lethality Assessment Award.

Verizon Wireless was singled out for its unwavering commitment to domestic violence victims through the company's HopeLine program, which collects no-longer-used wireless phones – all models, from all wireless carriers – and accessories to be refurbished, recycled or sold. Proceeds benefit victims of domestic violence through grants and the donation of wireless phones and service.

Since HopeLine's recycling program was launched nationwide in 2001, Verizon Wireless has collected more than 6.5 million phones, awarded more than $7 million in cash grants, donated more than 80,000 refurbished phones with free service for use by victims, and kept more than 200 tons of electronic wastes and batteries out of landfills. Phones are accepted at Verizon Wireless stores across the nation and in special collections organized for businesses, schools, community groups and others.

In 2008 alone, the HopeLine program, together with the Verizon Foundation, the community relations arm of the Verizon companies, donated more than $380,000 to support domestic violence prevention programs in Maryland.

"On behalf of Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation, I'd like to express my thanks to the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence for all its hard work in providing vital support to survivors every day," said Mike Maiorana, president of Verizon Wireless in Maryland, DC and Virginia. "We'd also like to extend our thanks to the many Maryland residents who have donated their no longer used wireless phones to the HopeLine program. Their generosity makes everything possible."

Michaele Cohen, executive director of MNADV, said, "At a time when nonprofits are facing continuing budget cuts, we're very grateful for the ongoing support of Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation. Their outstanding work has put a spotlight on the critically important issue of domestic violence prevention, and we're proud to call them partners."  - Verizon Wireless

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