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Verizon Wireless Donates To Detroit Shelter

SOUTHFIELD -- Verizon Wireless has awarded a $3,000 grant to Detroit-based Sisters Against Abuse Society. SAAS provides programming, counseling and shelter services to families who have been impacted by domestic or sexual violence. The grant will help with training and support counseling, education and advocacy efforts.

"Studies have shown that women of color experience domestic violence at a rate 35 percent higher than that of other women," said LaDonna Combs, president of SAAS. "Without the support of organizations like Verizon, we could not have as significant of an impact in helping African American women, who have survived domestic and sexual violence, recover."

Last year, Verizon donated nearly $400,000 in cash grants to nonprofit organizations across Michigan. The company also donated nearly 3.4 million minutes of service to domestic violence organizations for use by the clients they serve.

The grant was made possible through HopeLine from Verizon, which collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories in any condition from any carrier and turns them into support for domestic violence survivors. Phones collected through HopeLine are either refurbished and sold or recycled, and proceeds are donated to organizations that work against domestic violence in the form of cash grants and prepaid Verizon Wireless phones for survivors.

Michigan residents are encouraged to donate no-longer-used phones and accessories by dropping them off in HopeLine bins at local Verizon Wireless stores, or by downloading a postage-paid mailing label from the HopeLine Web site.

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