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Make Long-Distance Calls and Fund a Tutor, Field Trip or Books: Verizon’s Special Program Provides $3.5 Million to Local Schools


WEBWIRE

‘Extra Credit for Schools’ Enables Verizon Long Distance Customers to Target Funds Worth 5% of Their Verizon Long Distance Bill to the School of Their Choice

Sept. 14, 2005, NEW YORK – Now that the kids are back in school, it’s time to painlessly support their education, simply by making long-distance phone calls.

Verizon’s Extra Credit for Schools program (ECFS), in place since Verizon began offering long-distance calling in 1999, has generated more than $3.5 million in gifts that support worthy activities at public and private elementary, secondary and high schools throughout the United States. Verizon funds the program, but Verizon customers support it, just by making calls.

Customers can contribute to the school of their choice by enrolling in a qualifying long- distance calling plan and the Extra Credit for Schools loyalty program. Customers simply register, name a school, and checks totaling 5% of their long-distance payments to Verizon are sent twice a year to the enrolled schools.

“This time of year, it’s not just about new sneakers, the latest backpack or the right notebook organizer, cell phones or MP3 Players,” said Mark W. Adams, marketing executive in charge of the program. “Back-to-school time is a time of anticipation, commitment and hope for students, parents and educators alike. It’s the perfect time to lock in some extra funding to support that kind of spirit.”

Consider Bath Elementary School in Bath, Mich., where ECFS funding supports homework tutors. Or Village Elementary School in Georgetown, Texas, where ECFS supports special programs like Science Day. Or West Park Elementary School in Moscow, Idaho, where the principal’s fund is used to help students from low-income families pay for books or attendance at cultural events they’d otherwise miss.

Elsewhere, reference materials, audiovisual equipment, calculators, art supplies, speakers, science programs, computer hardware and software, playground gear, globes and maps, English-as-a-second-language materials and Internet hookups have been funded.

Existing Verizon Long Distance Customers can enroll by calling 1 877 X CREDIT (1-877-927-3348). New customers can ask to be enrolled when they order Verizon long-distance calling service.

Certain restrictions apply. Qualifying calls include toll-free calls, residential 1+ dialed calls, calling card calls and calls made under Verizon’s international calling plans. Calls made under Verzion’s Freedom calling plans qualify only in certain states.

Verizon has several long-distance calling plan options, including the popular Five Cents plan. For a $2 monthly charge, customers make long-distance calls any time of day for just 5 cents a minute, regardless of distance called. Long-distance calls are those made between regional calling areas. Calls within those areas are regional toll calls and do not qualify. Interstate calls are generally considered to be long-distance calls.

Verizon’s Web site, http://www.verizon.com/extracredit/, includes a printable flyer customers can use to encourage other parents at their child’s school to enroll and support the funding process. There are no limits on enrollments for a given school.

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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