Verizon Wireless Hosts Rule The Road 2K/5K Event To Support Employee Wellness and Local Charities

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Verizon Wireless closed the Greenville, S.C. call center on May 16 and offered paid time to nearly 1,000 employees who participates in the second annual “Rule the Road 2K/5K” health and fitness run.  At the health and wellness event, Verizon presented a $15,000 donation to the Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands and a $1,500 donation to Greenville’s Julie Valentine Center. The grants are part of the company’s commitment to organizations that address domestic violence wellness in the surrounding community.

As the race approached, the event generated excitement among Verizon Wireless employees who participated and experienced the success of last year’s “Rule the Road 2K/5K”.  “Watching so many people participate and achieve their goals was such a rewarding experience,” said Brandon Bailey, Verizon Technical Support Supervisor, “Last year, I lost 47 pounds preparing for the race. I am excited to participate again this year and even more proud to be part of a company that can combine work, wellness, and fun while supporting worthy organizations that serve our community.” 

“Verizon Wireless has a long-standing commitment to address health and wellness with our employees to promote work/life balance and reward employees for their hard work to provide the nation’s best wireless network,” said Jerry Fountain, Verizon Wireless president for the Carolinas and Tennessee. “We recognize the need for health and wellness education and comprehensive support services. Supporting the Goodwill Industries and Julie Valentine Center offers a great opportunity to address these wellness issues and serve the community while empowering employees with our ‘Rule the Road 2K/5K’ event.”

Verizon’s collaboration with Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands SC will establish a Call Center Training Program in Columbia, S.C. to assist disadvantaged populations including the poor, unemployed/underemployed, and survivors of domestic violence, by helping them seek and gain employment.  The $15,000 grant will enable the Goodwill Industries’ program to offer an impoverished and abused population the opportunity for empowerment through employment of customer service positions. Continued growth is expected for call center/customer service positions in the Midlands area, providing abundant opportunities for those seeking employment and improve their economic situation.

The Julie Valentine Center is a non-profit organization that works to prevent child abuse and sexual assault, reduce trauma and reestablish safety for victims and their families, and engage survivors in the healing process through compassionate, comprehensive treatment. The $1,500 grant from Verizon will help improve the programs and services offered by the Julie Valentine Center to better educate community members and meet the needs of the victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.   

For more information on Verizon Wireless’ employee benefits or health initiatives, please visit http://www.vzw-whoweare.com/bestemployer.php. 

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About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 93.0 million retail customers, including 88.0 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 80,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.