Verizon donates to domestic violence advocacy organizations

Verizon Wireless donated $8,000 to four domestic violence advocacy organizations in Southeast Missouri, $10,000 to five central Missouri agencies and $7,000 to a statewide coalition based in Jefferson City.

Verizon Wireless awarded $2,000 each to four Southeast Missouri domestic violence outreach organizations: Safe House for Women Inc. of Cape Girardeau, the House of Refuge for Abused and Battered Women of Sikeston, Mo., Haven House of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Center for Family Resources Inc. of Malden, Mo.

Safe House will use this grant to equip its temporary shelter with additional beds and dressers.

The House of Refuge for Abused and Battered Women is using its grant to build a handicapped-accessible entrance to better serve people requiring the aid of wheelchairs, strollers and other devices.

Verizon Wireless accepts donations of used wireless phones and accessories to refurbish and sell through its HopeLine phone recycling program. The proceeds benefit survivors of domestic violence. The company has collected more than 3.5 million phones through the HopeLine program and has donated more than $10 million from HopeLine proceeds to organizations engaged in raising awareness and prevention of domestic violence.

The largest of the HopeLine grants -- a gift of $7,000 -- was awarded to the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Based in Jefferson City, the statewide membership coalition of organizations and individuals works to end violence against women and children through public education, technical and training assistance, alliance communication and issue research. The coalition will use the funds to produce updated informational and membership brochures.

For more information about the phone recycling program or grant opportunties, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133