HopeLine, a charity initiative run by Verizon Wireless, collected hundreds of toys throughout November and December to donate to children impacted by domestic violence.
The drive, “Hope for the Holidays,” accepted toy donations from Verizon Wireless customers at 90 store locations throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. The drive benefitted 14 nonprofit organizations supporting victims of domestic violence. Nonprofit recipients in Wisconsin included Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee and The Women’s Center in Waukesha.
“Oftentimes when a victim of domestic violence leaves a house, they’re grabbing whatever they can,” said Andrea Meyer, public relations manager for Verizon’s Illinois and Wisconsin region. “So they’re not taking a lot of personal items so these are the sorts of things that can provide comfort for a child.”
HopeLine donates no-longer used cellphones to women recovering from domestic violence. Verizon provides service to the phones so that women can stay connected to their families, friends and jobs. The charity initiative also provides grants to nonprofit organizations and shelters assisting domestic abuse victims.
Verizon Wireless accepts used devices at its stores year round to be contributed to the HopeLine program. For more information about store locations, click here.
