Verizon Employees Throughout the Country Collect More Than $500,000 Worth of Back-to-School Supplies to Assist Hundreds of Schools and Nonprofits

NEW YORK, August 27, 2009 — Verizon employees across the country have collected more than $500,000 worth of back-to-school supplies to assist schools and nonprofit organizations. The volunteers participated in a three-week Tools for School campaign to collect new and gently used rulers, crayons, backpacks and other items children need to start the school year.

Employees at more than 500 Verizon locations took part in the campaign. The school supplies will be distributed to more than 400 schools and nonprofit organizations in the local communities where the supplies were collected, with a specific focus on schools with a large population of students from low-income families.

"Many of our students can't afford the numerous school supplies needed for today's classrooms," said Teresa Grenauf, principal of Southwick Elementary School in Fort Wayne, Ind. "We can't wait to see their faces when we are able to provide them with all the supplies they need to get the year off to a great start."

Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston said, "Verizon has a long history of supporting education. Whether it's by providing free interactive educational resources for parents and teachers through Verizon Thinkfinity.org or by volunteering to assist an after-school program, Verizon will continue support efforts to provide the tools children need to succeed in the classroom."

Verizon Thinkfinity.org contains thousands of free educational resources including interactive games, videos and activities that make learning fun. Verizon Thinkfinity provides teachers, parents and students with a valuable resource for lesson plans, in-class activities or homework help.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2008, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $68 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an additional $26 million in combined contributions to nonprofits. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) , headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 87 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 235,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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