GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Teammates in the efforts to fight domestic violence, Verizon and the Green Bay Packers announced Tuesday the continuation of a special game day HopeLine Collection.
It’s part of recognizing October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“The Green Bay Packers are proud to once again partner with Verizon for the HopeLine program to continue working to end domestic violence,” Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy said in a statement. “The phone drive provides an opportunity for our fans and guests to join the campaign, donate their used phones and help us support those who have experienced domestic violence.”
During the Packers October 20th game against the Chicago Bears, no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories from any carrier in any condition can be donated from 5:25 p.m. until the end of the first quarter in HopeLine from Verizon bins at each Lambeau Field gate.
Those donations to HopeLine are refurbished and proceeds generated are given to local non-profit domestic violence prevention organizations, including those in Wisconsin. New phones — complete with 3,000 minutes of wireless and text messaging service — are provided to local domestic violence agencies or local government and law enforcement agencies for use with their domestic violence clients.
“At Verizon, our employees have long supported our efforts to help prevent domestic violence,” says Steve Van Dinter with Verizon. “We’re calling on Green Bay Packers fans to keep up the amazing support they’ve shown for HopeLine from Verizon over the years. Together, we can make a difference.”
Also Tuesday, Verizon made a $50,000 grant presentation to End Domestic Abuse WI from funds generated by Verizon’s HopeLine program to continue to provide supportive funding for the organization’s Statewide Teen Dating Violence and Health Relationships Project.
“Teen dating violence is more common than we think,” according to Patti Seger, executive director, End Domestic Abuse WI. “While most parents don’t believe it’s an issue in the lives of their teens, we know that one in three adolescents will be affected by dating violence and that 1.5 million high school age teens experience some form of physical violence from a dating partner each year.”
The Statewide Teen Dating Violence and Healthy Relationships Project creates Teen Councils in communities across Wisconsin to develop mutual respect, equality and open communication to model healthy relationship values and positively reinforce those values among peers and across generations.
With the grant money, End Domestic Abuse WI will continue and expand the number of Teen Council meetings statewide and continue to build skills among program coordinations, prevent educations and teen organizers.
If you’re unable to attend the October 20th game, you can still donate to Verizon’s HopeLine program at all Verizon retail locations and at the Lambeau Field Atrium’s HopeLine collection bins.
