WOBURN, Mass. -- To make the holidays a little brighter for children living in domestic violence shelters, Verizon Wireless is conducting a 'Kids In Need Holiday Drive' at each of their 53 communications stores throughout New England. Each store has adopted a local domestic violence shelter in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, to collect games, toys and books for children ranging in age from infants to teens.

From Nov. 15, through Dec. 14, , every Verizon Wireless Communications Store in New England will serve as a drop off point for the Kids In Need Holiday Drive. All items collected will be donated to local domestic violence shelters in each community.

Verizon Wireless has chosen and organized this outreach program for the third year as a part of the company's continued involvement with the issue of domestic violence and its effects on families nationwide.

"Unfortunately there are many children who live in shelters with their mothers, having fled their homes because of domestic abuse. When they flee, most children just have the clothes on their back, often leaving a favorite toy, game or book behind," said Bob Stott, president of the New England region for Verizon Wireless. "As a company we have a long-standing commitment of helping victims of domestic violence. This is one more way we can help, specifically aiding the youngest victims of domestic violence."

Verizon Wireless embraces the philosophy of commitment to the community and to the workplace. Through its HopeLine program, the company puts wireless phones, airtime and voice mailboxes to work to combat domestic violence. The company understands that domestic violence is an epidemic that devastates neighbors, friends and co-workers, and dedicates its resources to both the prevention of domestic violence and the life rebuilding process. As a result of HopeLine and related phone recycling programs Verizon Wireless has organized since , more than one million no longer used wireless phones have been collected to benefit domestic violence victims, prevention programs and advocacy groups across the country. No longer used wireless phones (from any carrier, any type of phone) can be donated year round at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store.

Source: Verizon Wireless