Answers to FAQs

HopeLine®

1. What is the HopeLine® Program?
2. What happens with my phone? Where does it go?
3. How does a wireless phone help a victim of domestic violence?
4. I've seen other phone recycling programs. Why should I choose to donate my phone to HopeLine?
5. I want to help, but my old phone is from another service provider, not Verizon Wireless. Can I still donate to HopeLine?
6. Can I donate my phone's accessories? What about donating my pager?
7. What if I don't have the charger and other accessories for my phone?
8. What if my phone is broken?
9. How do I donate my old phone?
10. What happens to the personal information on the wireless phones?
11. How do I know that victims of domestic violence who need the phones will receive them?
12. With what other projects is HopeLine involved?
13. Is it possible to donate money to the HopeLine program?
14. Are there other ways I can help other than donating my phone? Can I purchase a refurbished phone from Verizon Wireless?
15. Will I receive a tax receipt for this donation?
16. I am a victim of domestic violence. How can I get a phone?
17. I am a domestic violence prevention advocacy worker. How can I get a phone?
18. Will HopeLine phones be affected by Verizon Wireless' announcement that it will be discontinuing analog service after February 18, 2008?
19. I am a victim of domestic violence. How can I get help in an emergency?
20. I work for a non-profit agency that helps victims of domestic violence. How can I apply for a HopeLine grant?
21. I would like to hold a HopeLine phone drive. How can I get posters and donation boxes?

1. What is the HopeLine® Program?
   HopeLine is a phone recycling program exclusive to Verizon Wireless that uses refurbished and recycled wireless equipment and Verizon Wireless services and equipment to help victims of domestic violence.
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2. What happens with my phone? Where does it go?
   HopeLine collects used wireless phones and accessories, regardless of service provider, make, model or technology. The used phones will then be refurbished or recycled. The refurbished phones are sold, and Verizon Wireless uses the proceeds from the sale of any donated phone (by a third party) to fund non-profit agencies and to purchase other wireless phones for victims of domestic violence. Older, unsalvageable phones are disposed of in an environmentally sound way through an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-certified salvage company.
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3. How does a wireless phone help a victim of domestic violence?
   Access to a wireless phone and service, along with a voice mailbox can help victims of domestic violence to rebuild their lives by giving them the means to communicate with family, friends, agency and shelter support staff and current or prospective employers.
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4. I've seen other phone recycling programs. Why should I choose to donate my phone to HopeLine?
   Customers have many choices when looking for a phone-recycling program. HopeLine is an award-winning, well-established program which was created in 1995 to make a positive difference in the areas of domestic violence awareness, prevention and victim recovery. When customers donate their phones to the HopeLine program, they can be confident that their wireless phone will be recycled or refurbished properly, and proceeds will be used to generate funds for various programs to assist victims of domestic violence and the organizations that support them.
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5. I want to help, but my old phone is from another service provider, not Verizon Wireless. Can I still donate to HopeLine?
   Yes, HopeLine accepts wireless phones from any manufacturer and any service provider.
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6. Can I donate my phone's accessories? What about donating my pager?
   Accessories such as a phone charger, headset and spare batteries are welcomed. HopeLine also accepts pagers.
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7. What if I don't have the charger and other accessories for my phone?
   You can still donate your wireless phone and it will help raise funds for the HopeLine program.
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8. What if my phone is broken?
   You can still donate your wireless phone even if it is broken. If it is not salvageable, the parts will be recycled and used to generate funds for non-profit domestic violence advocacy and prevention agencies.
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9. How do I donate my old phone?

   We've made the process as easy as possible. Just drop off your phone at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store or mail the phone to:
   
   Verizon Wireless HopeLine
   c/o ReCellular Inc.
   2555 Bishop Circle W.
   Dexter, MI 48130
   
   Verizon Wireless does not supply shipping materials for phone donations.

   To find a store near you, visit the Store Locator.

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10. What happens to the personal information on the wireless phones?

    Verizon Wireless encourages everyone who plans to give a phone to HopeLine to erase any personal data on the phone before donating it. As part of the refurbishing process, our recycling vendor does scrub the phone of all personal data prior to distributing it for re-use.

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11. How do I know that victims of domestic violence who need the phones will receive them?
    With the funds raised from the sale of the refurbished phones, Verizon Wireless will purchase new wireless phones and donate airtime to victims of domestic violence through social services and law enforcement agencies in your community.
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12. With what other projects is HopeLine involved?
    Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program also makes financial grants to regional and national domestic violence organizations, such as the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and other local community interest groups. The grants fund workshops, classes and other initiatives to aid victims and help raise awareness of domestic violence.
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13. Is it possible to donate money to the HopeLine program?
    No, this program does not accept monetary donations. But a wireless phone that you no longer use can be a lifeline for someone in need. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to donate to HopeLine.
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14. Are there other ways I can help other than donating my phone? Can I purchase a refurbished phone from Verizon Wireless?
    Verizon Wireless does not sell refurbished HopeLine phones directly to consumers. However, there are other ways to help. Holding a phone drive at your office, school or other location can help many people right in your community. To request information or to hold a phone drive, fill out the form at the Contact Us page.
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15. Will I receive a tax receipt for this donation?
    No. Wireless phones and related accessories contributed to the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program are not tax deductible. The benefit of donating your phone to HopeLine is the help it affords victims of domestic violence, as well as protecting the environment through recycling. Any tax benefit received for donating your phone and/or equipment would have been minimal.
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16. I am a victim of domestic violence. How can I get a phone?
    If you are a victim of domestic violence, please contact a local domestic violence shelter, or contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) or dial #HOPE from your Verizon Wireless phone. HopeLine phones are distributed only through shelters or social service agencies.
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17. I am a domestic violence prevention advocacy worker. How can I get a phone?
    For information on how your organization can become a HopeLine recipient, please visit the HopeLine Contact Us page or visit the News Center Press Contacts and contact the representative in your region, who will evaluate your situation and determine how they may help you.
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18. Will HopeLine phones be affected by Verizon Wireless' announcement that it will be discontinuing analog service after February 18, 2008?

    No. Since 2004, Verizon Wireless has used digital handsets for its HopeLine program. If you think the HopeLine phones delivered to your agency are analog-only models, or were received prior to 2004, please send us an email at hopeline@verizonwireless.com and include either the ESN or phone number and we will let you know if it needs to be replaced.

    For more information on the analog sunset, you can visit the FCC's website at: www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/analogcellphone.html.

    For more information on Verizon Wireless' planned analog network retirement, visit: www.verizonwireless.com/analog.

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19. I am a victim of domestic violence. How can I get help in an emergency?
    Domestic Violence victims seeking immediate assistance should dial 911. Victims can also reach The National Domestic Violence Hotline by dialing 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or by dialing #HOPE from their Verizon Wireless phone.
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20. I work for a non-profit agency that helps victims of domestic violence. How can I apply for a HopeLine grant?
    To apply for a grant, please visit the News Center Press Contacts and contact the representative in your region.
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21. I would like to hold a HopeLine phone drive. How can I get posters and donation boxes?
    If you would like to request HopeLine materials for an upcoming phone drive, please fill out the form on the HopeLine Contact Us page and a representative from your region will follow up with you.
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