PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless and the Philadelphia Eagles will team up for the third year in a row to collect no- longer-used wireless phones that will benefit victims of domestic violence in the Philadelphia area. Through Verizon Wireless' HopeLine(R) program, the phones will be refurbished and recycled or sold with proceeds used to purchase cell phones for use by domestic violence victims in emergency or threatening situations. HopeLine also makes financial grants to domestic violence organizations. Additionally, the program provides an environmentally friendly method for recycling no-longer-used cell phones. Every year 130 million handsets are thrown out, creating 65,000 tons of trash.

Eagles fans can bring their wireless phones to the team's home game, against the San Diego Chargers, October 23, and deposit them in the HopeLine collection bins as they enter Lincoln Financial Field. Wireless phones can be dropped off at the four main gates, the club & suite gate entrances and employee check-in and press gates. The HopeLine wireless phone collection will begin at 10 a.m. and last until game time, 1 p.m.

"This program gives our fans the opportunity to provide a lifeline of safety and hope for women in our community suffering from domestic abuse. We know we can count on our fans to help us beat last year's collection total of more than 600 phones by bringing their phones to the game or donating them at any Verizon Wireless store across the region," said Tammy Reid, wife of Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid.

"By simply donating a wireless phone you are no longer using, you can truly make a difference for victims of domestic violence," said Christine Baron, president of Verizon Wireless' Philadelphia Tri-State Region. "Verizon Wireless is thrilled that the Philadelphia Eagles are once again participating in our efforts to prevent domestic violence."

Since the 2003-2004 season, Verizon Wireless has been the official wireless provider for the Philadelphia Eagles, collaborating with the team on initiatives that have included:

-- Sponsorship of the Philadelphia Eagles Coach's Corner, which lets Verizon Wireless customers sign up to receive exclusive Eagles news, via text messages to their wireless phones, directly from the team. -- Free football skills development clinics led by Eagles players for Philadelphia-area youth. -- Eagles participation in Verizon Wireless' annual "Packs for Pride" project, an initiative coordinated by local Verizon Wireless employees in the company's Philadelphia Region that provides backpacks filled with clothing, toys and other items to children living in domestic violence shelters and safe houses. -- Eagles home game ticket donations to families throughout the region living in domestic violence shelters and safe houses.

Since 1995, Verizon Wireless has collected more than two million used wireless phones for the benefit of domestic violence victims and advocacy groups. Donations are accepted at all Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the Philadelphia Tri-State Region and at company retail locations across the country. All wireless phone models, batteries and chargers from any carrier are accepted. For store locations and additional information, visit http://www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline. For more information on the 2005 Philadelphia Eagles, visit the Eagles official Web site at http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone . 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.

CONTACT: Sheldon Jones, Verizon Wireless, +1-215-638-5668, or
+1-215-219-8890 (cell), sheldon.jones@verizonwireless.com; or Bonnie Grant,
Philadelphia Eagles, +1-215-320-5827, bgrant@eagles.nfl.com

Web site: http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/

Web site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/
http://www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline

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