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 -- 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 .
See Also
