Collects 1,648 phones for HopeLine for Verizon initiative
Indianapolis – First Lady Karen Pence today announced the collection of 1,648 phones for the HopeLine from Verizon initiative that serves survivors of domestic violence. This third annual phone drive, which the First Lady sponsored throughout the month of October, collects no-longer-used cell phones and accessories to refurbish and sell to raise funds for survivors of domestic violence. According to Verizon, the drive is considered to be one of the largest consecutive HopeLine collections in the nation. Donations this year surpassed the past drives, in which 1,200 phones were donated in 2014, and 1,367 in 2015.
“I’m so thankful for the generosity of state employees as they dropped off phones in HopeLine boxes around the government center campus,†said First Lady Karen Pence. “HopeLine from Verizon is an incredible program, and I hope that our efforts over the past month make a noticeable difference for survivors of domestic violence across the state. As this is my final drive, I am especially and sincerely grateful for the combined amount of 1,648 phones donated that will save lives.â€
HopeLine provides new phones equipped with 3,000 anytime minutes to those in need through participating domestic violence agencies, and give grants to agencies that assist survivors of domestic violence. The donated phones are refurbished and recycled in an environmentally safe way with proceeds going toward the financial support of domestic violence awareness and prevention initiatives.
Since 2001, HopeLine from Verizon has collected more than 11.4 million phones nationwide and has donated more than $29 million in cash grants to domestic violence organizations nationwide.
A photo of the First Lady announcing her third annual phone drive at a press conference in late September can be found attached, along with a photo of donated phones from this year and a photo of the First Lady organizing donated cell phones after last year’s phone drive.
