PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon announced today its commitment to Pennsylvania nonprofits with donations amounting to more than $590,000 in 2011 to help struggling domestic violence agencies.

From cash grants to employee matches, "Telling Amy's Story" community awareness events and HopeLine^® donations of used cell phones, Verizon remains committed to helping as many agencies as possible in Pennsylvania.

A number of organizations have reported a spike in domestic violence calls for help brought on by the pressure of a souring economy. Agencies began struggling with waiting lists at shelters and extended stays, an increase in elder abuse, teen dating violence and increased calls for help to crisis hotlines.

Funding comes from the Verizon Foundation and through the nationally recognized HopeLine^® program from Verizon Wireless. At Pennsylvania's 100 company-owned retail stores and through pre-paid mail options, Pennsylvanians can easily donate no longer used phones and accessories to the HopeLine program.

Verizon provides those refurbished wireless phones and airtime to nonprofit organizations for use by domestic violence survivors, as well as cash grants to local shelters and nonprofits that focus on prevention, awareness and advocacy through those donations.

Last year, 1,025 phones and more than three million free minutes were contributed to Pennsylvania shelter residents to make those connections.

Across Pennsylvania, over 40 domestic violence organizations are being supported by Verizon and such partnerships have also helped to raise awareness through "Telling Amy's Story", a documentary funded by Verizon. Some Pennsylvania recipients with whom Verizon partnered this year include:

Women Against Abuse in Philadelphia
Centre County Women's Resource Center in State College
Crisis Center North in Pittsburgh
Congreso de Latinos Unidos in Philadelphia
Dress for Success in Pittsburgh, Scranton, Harrisburg and Philadelphia
Womansplace in McKeesport
Safe Horizons in Union City
Women's Resource Center in Scranton
Kidspeace in Schnecksville
Lancaster County Children's Alliance in Lancaster
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh
Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations in Philadelphia
Women In Transition in Philadelphia

The Verizon Foundation supports personal philanthropic giving made by Verizon employees and retirees. Employees can earn cash grants for the qualified nonprofits where they volunteer at least 50 hours, and can have their charitable donations go further by utilizing the foundation's Matching Gifts Programs.

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Stay in the know about Verizon Wireless news in Pennsylvania by following @VZWsheldon and @VZWlaura on Twitter at [ http://twitter.com/VZWsheldon ] and [ http://twitter.com/VZWlaura ]. For the latest on products, corporate initiatives and perspectives, follow @VZWnews on Twitter at [ http://twitter.com/VZWnews ].

About the Verizon Foundation

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, uses its technology, financial resources and partnerships to address critical social issues, with a focus on education and domestic violence prevention. In 2010, the foundation awarded nearly $67 million to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered nearly 6 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit [ www.verizonfoundation.org ].

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 107.7 million total wireless connections, including 90.7 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: [ VZ ]) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit [ 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 ].

About Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: [ VZ ]), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 107 million total connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500. A Dow 30 company with $106.6 billion in 2010 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 195,000. For more information, visit [ www.verizon.com ].

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

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Verizon Supports Pennsylvania Domestic Violence Nonprofits In 2011 with More than $590,000 in Grants

Verizon Supports Pennsylvania Domestic Violence Nonprofits In 2011 with More than $590,000 in Grants

Verizon Foundation & Verizon Wireless HopeLine Help Domestic Violence Agencies in the Keystone State