Verizon Wireless Continues Support of Customers Recovering from Hurricane Sandy

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless continues its efforts to assist customers and communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy today, as follows.

Mobile recharging stations supporting the public
As of Monday Verizon Wireless was operating more than a dozen generator-powered mobile recharging stations in hard-hit areas of New York and New Jersey. Overnight the company staged new recharging vehicles in Staten Island, NY and Toms River, NJ. In addition to recharging wireless devices, many of these Wireless Emergency Communication Centers (WECCS) offer additional services, including free Wi-Fi Internet access, free calling from phones on the vehicles, and in some instances, tablet and computer workstations. For an updated listing of locations and services please click [ here ]. See photos and videos of these mobile resources in action [ here ].

Open Verizon Wireless locations offering free device recharging and free domestic calls
More than 96% of Verizon Wireless corporate retail locations across the New York Metropolitan Area were open and serving customers Monday. The company continues to invite those impacted, regardless of their wireless provider, to visit any of its open retail locations to charge their wireless devices and to make free domestic phone calls. To locate the nearest Verizon Wireless location please visit our store locator at [ http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/storelocator/index.jsp ]. Additionally, for customers unable to physically visit a bricks-and-mortar location, [ free two-day shipping ] is available on items purchased at [ www.verizonwireless.com ].

Domestic voice and text usage automatically removed from customer bills in NY and NJ
On Sunday company officials announced a Voice and Text program for customers in counties* of New York and New Jersey impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Domestic voice and text usage will be automatically removed from accounts for activity between October 29 and November 16 so customers will not be billed additional usage charges for that period. Verizon Wireless customers are auto-enrolled for free text message alerts to notify customers of their allowance usage at several threshold levels. As a result, customers eligible for the voice and text program may in some cases still receive [ Voice and Text Usage Alerts ] tied to their usual monthly allowance. Customers have the option to opt-out of receiving these messages by visiting[ Verizon Wireless My Account ].

* Included counties can be found at [ http://news.verizonwireless.com/news/2012/11/pr2012-11-04a.html ]

Verizon Wireless customers text over $2 Million in donations to American Red Cross
Last week Verizon announced plans to match customer [ text-to-donate ] contributions to [ American Red Cross ] relief efforts up to one million dollars. As of Sunday evening Verizon Wireless customers had texted over two million dollars in donations to the American Red Cross in support of local relief efforts. Customers can still make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999. Those who would like to give more can donate up to $50 via text.

For those contributing, text messaging fees are waived and 100 percent of each donation is given to the Red Cross. Verizon Wireless customers who pay monthly bills will see their donations on the next regular monthly bill. For customers using the company's prepaid services, donations will be taken from customers' prepaid balances.

The Verizon matching funds are provided by the [ Verizon Foundation ], the philanthropic arm of Verizon, and are part of more than $1 million the foundation has committed to relief efforts.

For the latest news, follow us on Twitter @vzwnews.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves nearly 96 million retail customers, including 90.4 million retail postpaid customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 75,000 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 ].

CONTACT:
Andrea Kimmet
Verizon Wireless - Northeast Area
[ Andrea.Kimmet@VerizonWireless.com ]
908-310-5591

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

RELATED LINKS
[ http://www.verizonwireless.com ]

Contributing Sources

Market Wire

N@N

Verizon Wireless Continues Support of Customers Recovering from Hurricane Sandy