Alabama First Lady Dianne Bentley, Local Law Enforcement And Verizon Wireless Issue 'A Call For Hope'

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Dec. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of that, Alabama First Lady Dianne Bentley is teaming up with the Birmingham Police Department, the Huntsville Police Department, Montgomery's One Place Family Justice Center and Verizon Wireless to encourage victims of domestic violence to seek help this holiday season by making the call to their local police department or the Alabama Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE).

First Lady Bentley, who has embraced domestic violence awareness and prevention as one of her primary community initiatives, is releasing a radio public service announcement to promote "A Call for Hope." The 60-second spot provides hotline support information for domestic violence victims and also encourages residents to donate no-longer used wireless phones, batteries and accessories to HopeLine(®) from Verizon. HopeLine donations are refurbished, recycled and/or sold. Proceeds benefit victims of domestic violence via cash grants to domestic violence agencies and organizations as well as refurbished phones - complete with 3,000 minutes of wireless service - which are provided to local domestic violence organizations or local government and law enforcement agencies for use with their domestic violence clients.

"I have learned from talking to domestic violence survivors that finding the strength to make that initial call for help is crucial to saving lives," Bentley said. "I am honored to be working with law enforcement to help encourage victims to make the call for hope this holiday season. I hope people who are blessed as I am with a healthy, happy home will support this effort by donating their old phone to HopeLine."

Since HopeLine was established in 2001, Verizon has collected more than 9 million phones and generated more than $14.2 million in cash grants for domestic violence organizations across the country. Verizon has also distributed nearly 123,000 HopeLine phones with the equivalent of more than 406 million minutes of wireless service for use by victims, survivors and organizations.