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NEW YORK, September 7, 2010 (CRWE Newswire) — More than $300,000 worth of back-to-school supplies will be donated to schools and nonprofits across the country, thanks to the generosity of Verizon employees, customers and the public.

Verizon employees participated in a four-week Tools for School campaign to collect new and gently used rulers, crayons, backpacks and other items children need to start the school year. The public was invited to join the effort by making an online donation through DonorsChoose.org, a nonprofit organization that allows contributors to donate to a myriad of education projects at public schools throughout the country.

One of the schools that received a donation was Graham Road Elementary School in Falls Church, Va.

“This generous gift will allow Graham Road Elementary to support our families who cannot provide supplies for their child,” said the school’s principal, Terry Dade. “We truly appreciate the amazing generosity of everyone who took part in the campaign.”

Employees at nearly 300 Verizon locations participated. The school supplies will be distributed to more than 250 schools and nonprofit organizations in the local communities where the supplies were collected, with a specific focus on schools with large numbers of students in need. Since its launch in 2008, the annual campaign has collected more than $1.1 million worth of supplies.

“Verizon employees are thrilled to provide students with the tools they need to succeed in the classroom,” said Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston. “Whether it’s by providing free creative educational games, videos and lesson plans through Thinkfinity.org or volunteering to assist in the classroom, Verizon is committed to using our resources and technology to help children reach their full potential.”

Verizon Thinkfinity (www.thinkfinity.org) is a comprehensive educational website that contains tens of thousands of free educational resources to make learning fun and improve educational achievement. Parent-friendly resources, in-class activities and homework help can be found quickly and searched by grade level, keyword or subject.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2008, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $68 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an additional $26 million in combined contributions to nonprofits. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation’s largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving more than 92 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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