Baltimore, Maryland Orioles Join Verizon Wireless To Recycle Wireless Phones For Domestic Violence Victims

Phones Collected at Orioles’ Game Sunday, May 6 to Benefit Baltimore’s House of Ruth.

LAUREL, MD — The Baltimore Orioles and Verizon Wireless are partnering again to collect no-longer-used wireless phones for the company’s HopeLine® phone recycling program. Each wireless phone brought to the stadium on Sunday, May 6, 2007 -- when the Orioles play the Cleveland Indians -- will result in a $5 HopeLine contribution to the Baltimore-based domestic violence shelter, House Of Ruth Maryland, for a maximum contribution of $5,000.

Last year, thanks to the many fans who donated their no-longer-used wireless phones to the HopeLine collection on Mother’s Day 2006, Verizon Wireless and the Orioles contributed $5,000 to the House Of Ruth Maryland, a donation the partners hope to repeat again this year.

Laura Giuliani, wife of Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons, is asking fans for their support. She said, “By doing something as simple as donating a wireless phone, you can truly make a difference for victims of domestic violence. We know we can count on our fans to bring the cell phones they no longer use to the stadium to support this important cause.”

Carole Alexander, executive director of House Of Ruth Maryland said, “House Of Ruth is especially excited about the generosity Verizon Wireless and the community have shown our families. Support like this enables our organization to continue to offer innovative programs and critical services to Maryland women and children.”

The HopeLine program collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories in any condition from any wireless service provider at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide and in special collections like this one at Camden Yards. Phones are either refurbished and sold for reuse or recycled in an environmentally-friendly way. Proceeds are used to provide wireless phones, airtime and cash grants to local shelters and non-profit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention and awareness.

“We are proud of our long-standing commitment to supporting organizations that work with domestic violence survivors,” said Tami Erwin, regional president, Verizon Wireless. “We are thrilled that the Baltimore Orioles are partnering with us again to collect no-longer-used wireless phones to help victims become survivors.”

Since 2001, Verizon Wireless has collected three million no-longer-used wireless phones at stores around the country and in special collections organized for interested businesses, law enforcement agencies and civic groups. Thanks to the HopeLine program, the company has donated more than $3 million in cash grants and more than 40,000 phones with airtime, a contribution valued at more than $10 million.