Today, the Green Bay Packers and Verizon announced their continuing campaign to collect no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories from fans to support prevention efforts and assist survivors of domestic violence during October's Domestic Violence Awareness Month at a special gameday HopeLine Collection Thursday, Oct. 20.
Devices, from any carrier in any condition, can be donated from 5:25 p.m. until the end of the first quarter as the Green Bay Packers face the Chicago Bears. Volunteers will be at each gate at Lambeau Field with special HopeLine from Verizon bins to collect donations.
"The Green Bay Packers are proud to once again partner with Verizon for the HopeLine program to continue working to end domestic violence," said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. "The phone drive provides an opportunity for our fans and guests to join the campaign, donate their used phones and help us support those who have experienced domestic violence."
Wireless phones given to HopeLine are refurbished and proceeds generated are given to local non-profit domestic violence prevention organizations, including those in Wisconsin. New phones – complete with 3,000 minutes of wireless service and text-messaging service – are provided to local domestic violence agencies or local government and law enforcement agencies for use with their domestic violence clients.
"At Verizon, our employees have long supported our efforts to help prevent domestic violence," said Steve Van Dinter, Verizon. "We're calling on Green Bay Packers fans to keep up the amazing support they've shown for HopeLine from Verizon over the years. Together, we can make a difference."
Consumers not attending the game can donate to Verizon's HopeLine program at all Verizon retail locations and at the Lambeau Field Atrium's HopeLine collection bins.
At Thursday's press conference, Verizon made a $50,000 grant presentation to End Domestic Abuse WI from funds generated by Verizon's HopeLine program to continue to provide supportive funding for the organization's Statewide Teen Dating Violence and Healthy Relationships Project.
"Teen dating violence is more common than we think," said Patti Seger, executive director, End Domestic Abuse WI. "While most parents don't believe it's an issue in the lives of their teens, we know that one in three adolescents will be affected by dating violence and that 1.5 million high school age teens experience some form of physical violence from a dating partner each year. We are grateful that Verizon supports End Domestic Abuse WI in its work to address teen dating and sexual violence."
End Domestic Abuse WI promotes social change that transforms societal attitudes, practices and policies to prevent and eliminate domestic violence and abuse. The organization's Statewide Teen Dating Violence and Health Relationships Project creates Teen Councils in communities across Wisconsin to develop mutual respect, equality and open communication to model healthy relationship values and positively reinforce those values among peers and across generations. With this grant, End Domestic Abuse WI will continue and expand the number of Teen Council meetings across the state and continue to build skills among program coordinations, prevention educations and teen organizers.
About HopeLine:
HopeLine from Verizon connects survivors of domestic violence to vital resources, funds organizations nationwide and protects the environment. HopeLine provides ways for individuals to take action against domestic violence by donation no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories in any condition from any service provider. Verizon turns these devices into support for domestic violence organizations and programs nationwide.
