INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 9, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon Wireless announced today it is seeking grant proposals from non-profit organizations in Indiana for programs that directly benefit domestic violence survivors and their families, or for initiatives that raise awareness of and prevent domestic violence, teen dating violence, partner violence or elder abuse.
Grant applicants must have a 501(c) 3 tax status, and funding requests should not exceed $10,000. Proposals from groups in Elkhart, Jasper, Kosciusko, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Porter, St. Joseph, Starke counties may be submitted to in writing to Carolyn Schamberger at carolyn.schamberger1@verizonwireless.com. Groups in other parts of the state should submit to Michelle Gilbert at michelle.gilbert@verizonwireless.com. The deadline for submitting proposals is June 30, 2008. All applicants will be notified between July 1 and Sept. 30.
Verizon Wireless is a recognized corporate leader for its commitment to preventing domestic violence and raising awareness of the issue. In 2007, Verizon Wireless -- along with the Verizon Foundation -- donated more than $300,000 in cash grants, phones and airtime to shelters and other organizations in Indiana working to support victims of domestic violence and their families.
Domestic violence shelters and other non-profit organizations that assist domestic violence survivors may also submit applications to Verizon Wireless' HopeLine(r) program for wireless phones and free airtime to be given to domestic violence survivors who are rebuilding their lives.
Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program turns no-longer-used wireless phones into support for victims of domestic violence. Wireless phones, batteries and other accessories are collected at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide and in special collections throughout the year. The phones are either refurbished for reuse or recycled in an environmentally sound way.
Since October 2001, when Verizon Wireless launched its national recycling program, HopeLine has collected more than 4 million phones. The program has disposed of nearly 1 million phones in an environmentally sound way and refurbished the remaining phones for resale and reuse. Over the last five years, Verizon Wireless also has distributed more than 45,000 phones with airtime and other features valued at more than $13 million to be used by victims of domestic violence.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 63.7 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 68,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE:VOD) (LSE:VOD). Find more information on the Web at 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 www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.