Verizon Continues Efforts to Aid Hurricane Survivors

Sales of Business DSL Lines Trigger Gifts to ‘Operation Home Delivery’ Launched by Habitat for Humanity to Rebuild Homes in the Gulf Coast States

Oct. 5, 2005, NEW YORK – Verizon announced today it will support Operation Home Delivery, a project recently launched by Habitat for Humanity to help replace homes damaged or destroyed in the Gulf Coast hurricanes. The company will donate one dollar for every Verizon Business DSL line ordered between now and the end of 2005.

“Verizon provided aid to the Gulf Coast states immediately after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Since then we’ve been looking across our business for new ways to contribute,” said Marquita Carter, director of business marketing for Verizon’s Broadband Group. “By supporting Operation Home Delivery with this three-month program, we are providing resources to pre-build home frames offsite that will be moved to lots in the Gulf area for quick setup, once permanent rebuilding becomes possible.”

In addition to the $1 donation for every business DSL order placed from now until New Year’s Eve, Verizon will contribute up to an extra $10,000 a month if the business DSL sales exceed goals.

Verizon Business DSL offers four packages with different connection speeds up to 7.1 Mbps (megabits per second) and a variety of features such as remote access via dial-up, networking, domain name e-mail and much more. The packages are designed to meet the needs of every small to medium-sized businesses.

To date, Verizon has provided more than $12 million to support hurricane relief through the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the NAACP. Company efforts include dispatching more than 110 Verizon technicians to New Orleans to help BellSouth restore parts of its network, distributing tens of thousands of prepaid calling cards and cell phones along with air time, and providing 24 call centers and nearly 7,000 employee volunteers in support of the Sept. 9 “Shelter from the Storm” telethon.

Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for one million people. Operation Home Delivery is the emergency effort that was recently launched after Hurricane Katrina to help families in the affected areas recover and rebuild. www.habitat.org.

Verizon Communications Inc.
With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of more than 214,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom provides customers based in 28 states with wireline and other telecommunications services, including broadband. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation’s most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com

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Ellen Yu

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Verizon

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