Local bloggers help spread the word about HopeLine program

With a mission to increase the Michigan online community’s awareness of domestic violence prevention practices, Verizon Wireless has hand-selected influential Michigan bloggers to help spread the word about the company’s HopeLine program. 

Contacting bloggers statewide, Verizon Wireless asked that each share a blog post, crafted in whichever way they chose, to educate their online communities about the HopeLine from Verizon program and share how readers can support local domestic violence organizations.

Those bloggers who rose to the challenge are:

• Clayton Closson (whatsthediff.com)  
• Lisa LaGrou (oaklandcountymoms.com)  
• Amit Chowdry (pulse2.com)  
• Jackie Harper (freeismylife.com)  
• Bil Moore (bilmoore.com)  
• Jon Mallin (tbottle.com/tb)  
• Jill Anderson (thediaperdiaries.net)  
• Joni Hubred-Golden (michiganwomensforum.com)  
• Bree Glenn (breeunscripted.com)  
• Becks Davis (www.detroitmoxie.com)  
• Rebecca Thomas (detroitmommies.com)  
• Hubert Sawyers III (tweeteahappens.com)  
• Crissy Heron (indiebizchicks.com)  
• Maria Stuart (livingstontalk.com)  
• Audrey Walker (girlsintech.net)  
• Erica Finley (theurbaneway.com)  
• Melissa Brodsky (rockanddrool.com)  

“Raising awareness is an important step toward ending domestic violence,” said Michelle Gilbert, public relations manager, Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky Region, Verizon Wireless. “We are so grateful to those bloggers who cared enough about the issue to educate their readers on how they can easily make a difference by donating their no-longer-used phones to our HopeLine program.” 

The company’s HopeLine program converts no-longer-used wireless phones that have been donated by consumers into support for survivors of domestic violence. Phones given to the HopeLine program are refurbished and resold for reuse or disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. 

Since HopeLine’s national phone recycling and reuse program was launched in 2001, Verizon Wireless has collected more than 7 million phones, distributed more than 90,000 phones with the equivalent of more than 300 million minutes of free wireless service to be used by domestic violence survivors, and awarded more than $7.9 million in cash grants to domestic violence agencies and organizations throughout the country. 

This year, Verizon Wireless has donated more than $100,000 in HopeLine grants to domestic violence organizations across Michigan. Additionally, through HopeLine, Verizon Wireless has donated thousands of dollars in phones and airtime to domestic violence agencies statewide for use by survivors. 

The Michigan bloggers who participated in the program and helped generate awareness of domestic violence have been invited to attend HopeLine check presentations at five different Verizon Wireless stores where a local domestic violence organization at each will receive $5,000. The organizations receiving HopeLine grants from Verizon Wireless are EVE (Ending Violent Encounters) in Lansing, Looking For My Sister in Detroit, LA CASA in Howell, Safe Haven Ministries in Grand Rapids, and the YWCA of Greater Flint. 

“HopeLine gives a glimmer of hope to victims of abuse,” said blogger Bil Moore of bilmoore.com. When asked how supporting the program has affected him, he replied, “I’m humbled and proud to be associated with an organization that’s focused on helping people help themselves.” 

HopeLine wireless phone donations are accepted at all Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the nation. For more information on the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program, visit verizonwireless.com/hopeline.