Verizon Wireless Donates $10,000 in Long-Distance Calling Cards to Soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital / Contribution Allows Wounded Veterans to Stay in Contact with Loved Ones During Holidays

LAUREL, Md., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- For wounded U.S. servicemen and women recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., the holidays can be a particularly difficult time. Wounded soldiers who aren't able to travel home rely more than ever on the healing power of connecting with family and friends. This week, calling home just got easier for Walter Reed patients as Verizon Wireless donated $10,000 in free calling cards, which will provide hundreds of minutes of holiday talk time for 2,500 recovering soldiers.

Verizon Wireless teamed with the ASIS Foundation's Wounded Veterans' Phone Program to make the donation. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, ASIS is an association dedicated to increasing the effectiveness and productivity of security professionals worldwide and counts among its members more than 4,000 U.S. Military personnel.

Mike Maiorana, Verizon Wireless president in Washington, DC - Maryland - Virginia, helped to spearhead the donation and personally delivered the calling cards to the wounded veterans at the hospital today. Maiorana said, "At this time of year, there's nothing more important than having the love and support of family and friends. For wounded servicemen and women who aren't able to travel home during the holidays, a long distance phone call can sometimes be a lifeline. We're proud to make this donation to support injured soldiers, whose bravery and selfless sacrifice are a constant source of inspiration."

The contribution from Verizon Wireless supplements an initial $8,500 in grassroots funding raised by Verizon employee and ASIS member, Kevin Doss. According to ASIS officials, a national roll-out of the Wounded Veterans' Phone Program is expected over the next few months to support veterans across the country.

Verizon Wireless is the lead donor to the ASIS Wounded Veterans' Phone Program. The company is also a proud supporter of our nation's military and has been honored for its commitment to preserving jobs and benefits for those who deploy overseas. In addition, Verizon Wireless has policies in place to suspend service and/or billing for customers who are called to active duty.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving 89 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone (Nasdaq and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit http://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 http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

Verizon Wireless

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