In a continuing effort to help victims of domestic violence, Verizon Wireless has teamed up with the Omaha Project Emergency Phone Service (PEPS) program and donated more than 300 wireless phones to assist victims.

PEPS, a part of the Omaha Archdiocese, is a local wireless phone collection outreach program designed to provide domestic violence victims and organizations with one of the most powerful tools in the fight against domestic violence….a wireless phone. The organization works closely with wireless carriers like Verizon Wireless, the YWCA, Catholic charities, local police departments, shelters and hospitals, to provide wireless phones programmed to dial 911 or local shelters to victims of domestic violence.

"Every day, 5,000 women across the United States become victims of domestic violence," said Bill O’Donnell from PEPS. "It is through the support of wireless carriers like Verizon Wireless, and the response of concerned citizens that phones can be placed in the hands of victims in need."

The Verizon Wireless stores in Omaha located at 7215 Dodge Street and 2525 S. 132nd are currently collecting used wireless phones, batteries and chargers. "Special boxes are available to make it easy and convenient for people to drop off wireless phones that are no longer being used," said Scott Hoey, director of Sales for Verizon Wireless in Omaha. "The phones are recycled and given to shelters to provide security and mobility to women in domestic violence situations. Ultimately, these phones can help save lives."

Experts estimate there are more than 24 million inactive phones in the U.S. The goal of the PEPS program is to collect 3,000 used wireless phones annually to expand the program to combat domestic violence. For more information about PEPS, log on to www.members.home.net/stargazer3/.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with more than 25 million wireless voice and data customers and nearly 4 million paging customers. The new coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Bell Atlantic Corp. and GTE Corp --now Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) -- and Vodafone Plc (LSE:VOD; NYSE:VOD). The new company includes the assets of Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, GTE Wireless, PrimeCo Personal Communications and AirTouch Paging. The new company has a footprint covering nearly 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 96 of the top 100 U.S. markets. Verizon Wireless, headquartered in New York City and Bedminster, NJ, is 30,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company in its Media Center on the Web at: http://www.verizonwireless.com/mediacenter.

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