Tis' the season for giving back

If you’re looking for an easy way to give back this holiday season, consider donating your no-longer-used phones to HopeLine, Verizon’s signature philanthropy program that helps those affected by domestic violence. Since the program began in 2001, Verizon has helped victims become survivors by collecting old phones and turning them into cash support for organizations nationwide. The 11.4 million phones collected, $29 million+ cash donations, and 190,000 phones donated to date, have had a tremendous impact on assisting women, children, and men, rebuild their lives.

These proceeds, that totaled more than $200,000 in the greater Virginia region this year, have empowered dozens of local shelters to offer services to those facing the unique challenges of domestic violence and assist victims in rebuilding their lives. Through this much-needed funding, many community organizations have been able to expand services, like mental health counseling, legal advocacy and 24-hour hotlines, whereas others have been able to keep their doors open during tough economic times. Charlottesville’s Shelter for Help in Emergency and the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance are two non-profits in the Commonwealth which received HopeLine grants from Verizon in 2015, with others like the Richmond YWCA, the Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley and Samaritan House in Virginia Beach also benefitting from a holiday food drive organized by local Verizon employees.

If a new smartphone might be among the holiday gifts you receive this year, consider donating and recycling your old device (any make or model and in any condition) to HopeLine by dropping it off at any Verizon Wireless store or using this free postage-paid mailing label. Help continue the legacy of HopeLine support this holiday season -- and help the nearly one in four women, one in seven men and more than 3 million children in the United States who are affected by domestic violence.

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