Alabama’s First Public Awareness Campaign Concerning Domestic Violence

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Today, Verizon Wireless unveiled their Alabama No Excuse campaign featuring three Alabama head football coaches: Auburn University’s Coach Tommy Tuberville, The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Coach Neil Callaway and Birmingham Southern College’s Coach Joey Jones. These coaches will be featured in No Excuse TV and radio public service announcements, as well as print and outdoor communications.

Jeff Mango, President of the Alabama/Georgia Region for Verizon Wireless, presented the campaign to a luncheon audience of over 300 at the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s Governor’s Conference on Domestic Violence.

“The purpose of this campaign is to capture the attention of men from all age groups,” said Mango. “It will be Alabama’s first comprehensive public awareness campaign working to influence behaviors regarding domestic violence here in Alabama.”

No Excuse is sponsored by Verizon Wireless with the support of Lamar Outdoor and o2 ideas. It will run statewide throughout the month of October, which is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The creative design of the No Excuse campaign was crafted around a large coach’s blackboard, with over 2,000 chalk X’s drawn to represent the number of domestic violence offenses reported in Alabama last year. These offenses include 33 homicides, 246 rapes and 1,969 aggravated assaults.

The No Excuse campaign also includes a call-to-action around a new website www.noexcuseal.com, which will provide dozens of tips about how to eradicate domestic violence as well as how to get involved in abuse prevention.

Coach Joey Jones of the Birmingham Southern Panthers said that the No Excuse Campaign will challenge how Alabamians think about men’s physical abuse toward women create a mindset that domestic abuse is not acceptable and inspire leadership by empowering Alabamians with concrete ways to affect change in their respective communities.

“The campaign will inform and serve as a catalyst for men to recognize that there is No Excuse for them to commit domestic abuse, but, rather, that they can take deliberate action to prevent domestic violence,” said Jones.

Alabama’s domestic violence rate is one of the highest in the nation. At least 12% of both homicides and violent crimes in the state are directly related to domestic violence, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

“Domestic violence prevention is a cause that I want to support,” said Tommy Tuberville, head football coach of the Auburn Tigers. “Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women in the United States, and one third of all women in this country will experience some form of violence in her lifetime.”

Verizon Wireless is a recognized corporate leader for its commitment to preventing domestic violence and raising awareness of the issue.  The company’s HopeLine® program focuses on putting wireless products and services to work to prevent domestic violence.  Phones, which are collected in every Verizon Wireless Communications Store across Alabama and nationwide, are refurbished or recycled, and funds are used to purchase new wireless phones with airtime for victims or used to fund prevention and awareness programs.

“No Excuse is an example of how Verizon Wireless is working to stop the cycle of violence in our communities, and HopeLine® provides a proactive approach to helping those affected by domestic violence,” said Mango.

Since HopeLine®’s launch in 2001, Verizon Wireless has collected more than 4 million phones and awarded nearly $4 million in cash grants to domestic violence agencies and organizations throughout the country. The HopeLine® program has also distributed more than 40,000 phones with airtime and other features valued at more than $10 million to be used by victims of domestic violence.

For more information concerning the No Excuse campaign visit www.noexcuseal.com.

*Media Note: If you have not received the No Excuse TV or radio PSA via DG/Fast Channel, please contact Charlene Meeks at (205) 949-9596 or e-mail at charlenem@o2ideas.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 62.1 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 67,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV) is a nonprofit organization established in 1978 as a network of shelters for battered women and their children. In 1984, ACADV was incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) organization. Currently, there are 19 member programs, which serve the 67 counties in Alabama.

Verizon Wireless is a recognized corporate leader for its commitment to preventing domestic violence and raising awareness of the issue. The company’s HopeLine® program focuses on putting the nation’s most reliable wireless network to work in our communities by turning unused wireless phones into support for victims of domestic violence. No-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories, which are collected at every Verizon Wireless Communications Store across Alabama and nationwide, are refurbished or recycled. Proceeds are used to purchase wireless phones with prepaid airtime for use by victims and the agencies that support them or to fund prevention and awareness programs via financial grants.

Alabama’s domestic violence rate is one of the highest in the nation. At least 12% of both homicides and violent crimes in the state are directly related to domestic violence, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

“If you consider that every nine seconds a woman is battered by someone she knows or loves, then domestic violence impacts every community and business,” said Jeff Mango, president - Alabama/Georgia Region, Verizon Wireless. “We are committed to supporting and participating in efforts that raise the awareness of domestic violence and work to put an end to this destructive and dangerous behavior. We are honored to work with the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence to support this conference in order to equip Alabama businesses with critical information they need to understand the impact of domestic violence and gain resources to deal with this issue in their work place environments.”

Last year, Verizon Wireless partnered with the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence to produce Domestic Violence in the Workplace: A Guide for Employers, which was developed to help employers design sound, effective polices that create a safe environment when domestic violence follows a victim to work. Each section provides information to assist with the implementation of a viable workplace policy on domestic violence.

The manual is divided into three sections: Recognize - facts and indicators to explain the impact of an abuser’s actions against an employed victim, Respond - guidelines and examples to develop workplace policy and Resolve - training recommendations and resources to support an employee and maintain a safe workplace. The manual will be distributed to all attendees of the conference on October 2 and 3.

Carol Gundlach, Executive Director of the Alabama Coalition, said, “Domestic violence is everyone’s business. We are thankful for the collaboration and leadership of everyone that participated and helped make this manual a reality. Verizon Wireless continues to demonstrate their commitment to helping put an end to domestic violence here in Alabama and across the country.”

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women in the United States - more than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined. And according to the U.S. Department of Justice, 1 in 3 women will experience domestic or sexual violence in her lifetime.

Keynote speakers at the conference will include Attorney General Troy King, Director of Peace at Work Johnny Lee, as well as well-known advocate and author Jackson Katz. During the closing luncheon, Jeff Mango, President of Verizon Wireless - Alabama/Georgia Region, will roll out the company’s No Excuse Public Service Announcement Campaign with the Birmingham Southern Panthers Head Football Coach Joey Jones.

The ACADV Governor’s Conference on Domestic Violence will give presentations, handout materials and workshops that will benefit any professional who works with victims and perpetrators of abuse. The workplace track is designed for human resources managers, risk managers, employee assistance professionals, security chiefs and other senior managers or directors. The economic security workshops will interest workforce development professionals, human services workers, domestic violence program advocates and community resource advocates.

“Statistics reveal that domestic violence has an adverse effect on the financial strength and success of a company,” said Gundlach. “The annual cost of lost productivity due to domestic violence equals $728 million and more than 8 million paid workdays are lost each year.”

All of the hands-on sessions will provide tangible resources and expert guidance to help develop programs and prepare professionals who work with domestic violence victims and perpetrators. Continuing Education credits will be available for a variety of professional certifications. More information about credits and registration for the ACADV Governor’s Conference on Domestic Violence can be found online at www.acadv.org.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 62.1 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 67,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV) is a nonprofit organization established in 1978 as a network of shelters for battered women and their children. In 1984, ACADV was incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) organization. Currently, there are 19 member programs, which serve the 67 counties in Alabama.

Media Contact:
Carol Gunlach
Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence
334-832-4842
carol@acadv.org

BIRMINGHAM TO HOST DEBATE OVER EXISTENCE OF GOD
Renown scholars to face off at Alys Stephens Center Oct. 1

(Birmingham, Ala.) July 13, 2007 - One of the oldest and most heavily debated arguments in world history is the topic of the existence of God. From philosophers to scientists to theologians, throughout history, this same debate has never lost steam. Now, two of the most respected minds in the world in regards to this age old argument will face off in Birmingham.

This historic event, sponsored by the Birmingham-based organization Fixed-Point, will take place October 1 at the Alys Stephens Center, with tickets going on sale August 1. The debate will feature Dr. John Lennox (MA, MA, Ph.D., D.Phil., D.Sc.), Reader in Mathematics and Fellow in Mathematics and Philosophy of Science, Green College, University of Oxford and Professor Richard Dawkins, Fellow of the Royal Society and Charles Simonyi Chair for the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University.

Lennox is a Christian apologist and scientist. He has worked with Fixed Point Foundation on a number of projects, most recently, the documentary “Science and the God Question” which is scheduled for release September 10, 2007. Lennox has written a response to the notion that Science has exposed the Bible as obscurantist in a book titled God’s Undertaker: Has Science Buried the Bible? The book will be published this fall.

Dawkins, recently voted by Europe’s Prospect Magazine as one of the world’s most important intellectuals, is regarded as the spokesman for the “New Atheism.” BBC has labeled him “Darwin’s Rottweiler.” He has written numerous best-sellers, most notable among them, his recent book, The God Delusion. TGD has been on The New York Times List of Best-Sellers for over forty weeks. It is an inflammatory attack on religious faith generally, and Christianity specifically.

The debate will pit Dawkins’ views-as expressed in his best-seller The God Delusion-against Christianity.

Fixed Point Executive Director Larry Taunton said he feels that Birmingham is the perfect location for such an event. “Fixed Point Foundation is a Birmingham-based organization, “Taunton said. “While our work is not limited to Birmingham or, for that matter, the state of Alabama, we are nonetheless committed to the people of this city and we are pleased to be able to bring such an important event here.”

Fixed Point Foundation was founded in 2004 as a a 501(c)(3) organization, and has endeavored to establish itself as a cultural “think-tank” and teaching resource for those that take Scripture seriously as well as thoughtful skeptics. Fixed Point Foundation is not a church and has no formal ties to any denomination.

Contact: Hannah Sooter, Public Relations and Events Coordinator, 205-414-6311

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They would be working with others to help those still affected by the destruction left after the hurricanes of 2005 along the Gulf Coast in many different ways. If you think that you cannot help, you may want to ask what types of projects might be available to do; you’ll be surprised what talents are needed at this time.

The trips are scheduled to take place the week of November 4-11.

If you’re interested in learning more, there’s a free information session on Tuesday, September 18, from 6 - 7 p.m. at John’s City Diner (112 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd., N. - directions), where you can meet previous attendees, learn about specific projects and sign up on the spot.

You can also learn more about this effort by visiting the project’s website, www.magiccitymission.org, or by calling (205) 251.5849.

The construction of the barn is a joint venture between the Greater Birmingham Humane Association and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and will be used to house large animals that have been victims of abuse or neglect. Both the humane society and the sheriff’s office receive numerous reports of large animal abuse each year but, due to a lack of proper facilities for the care of large animals, they have relied on volunteers to take in rescued animals until the legal issues surrounding their seizures are resolved. The humane society hopes that the new facility will help them respond to more reports of cruelty and increase awareness about proper care of large animals.

In addition, the sheriff’s office and humane society can use the barn as temporary housing for horses and livestock during disaster relief efforts such as floods and tornadoes.

“American Humane is proud to help fund this project,” said Debrah Schnackenberg, interim vice president for Animal Protection Services. “The Rescue and Rehabilitation Barn will be an important addition that will greatly increase the ability for the humane society to respond to animals in need. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society is taking a great step to improve the welfare of animals in its community by providing these much-needed facilities.”

The Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant was established in 1969, in memory of Tressa Meacham, to provide financial assistance to agencies for shelter expansion or improvements. The grants are awarded annually by American Humane to qualified animal welfare agencies in order to fund projects that will contribute to the humane treatment of animals at the agencies, and within the agencies’ communities. Several grants are awarded each year to assist with the costs of building, renovating, and equipping shelters to improve the quality of care given to their animals.

About American Humane

The American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Founded in 1877, American Humane is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit membership organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link(R) between animal abuse and other forms of violence, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane’s regional office in Los Angeles is the authority behind the “No Animals Were Harmed”(R) End Credit Disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane’s office in Washington is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America “Best in America” Seal of Approval, and has received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s leading charity evaluator. Visit http://www.americanhumane.org to learn more.