Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse Receives $10,000 Cash Grant from HopeLine(R) Program

AAA Michigan collects used cell phones and converts to cash

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 8 -- As part of Verizon Wireless' HopeLine(R) program that converts used cell phones to cash, AAA Michigan has raised $10,000 to benefit the Michigan Coalition against Domestic and Sexual Abuse, collecting a total of 526 phones.

Through HopeLine(R), Verizon Wireless collects no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories, regardless of condition or original wireless service provider. Phones that can be refurbished are sold for reuse and those without value are disposed of in an environmentally sound way. All proceeds from the HopeLine program are used to provide wireless phones and cash grants to local shelters and nonprofit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention and awareness.

Since October 2001, when Verizon Wireless launched its national recycling program, HopeLine(R) has collected more than 4 million phones.

With 40 locations throughout the state, AAA Michigan partnered with Verizon Wireless to collect old cell phones for its HopeLine(R) program during July and August.

"Domestic violence affects more than 30 percent of American women during their lifetime," said Greg Haller, president-Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky/Region, Verizon Wireless. "AAA Michigan's commitment to this endeavor will help make a difference in the lives of the victims in metropolitan Detroit and throughout Michigan."

According to the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center, there were more than 70,000 occurrences of domestic violence reported in Michigan in 2005 alone.

AAA Michigan offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than 1.6 million members in Michigan. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with approximately 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization with more than 50 million members in the United States and Canada.