Survivors of Domestic Violence get assistance with Phone Drive

First Lady Karen Pence recently announced she is hosting a phone drive with HopeLine from Verizon throughout the month of October to assist survivors of domestic violence in Indiana. This is the third year the First Lady has participated in the initiative and, according to Verizon, the drive is considered to be one of the largest consecutive HopeLine collections in the nation.

“HopeLine from Verizon is an incredible program, and I trust that these donations over the next month will make a noticeable difference for survivors of domestic violence a-cross the state,” said First Lady Karen Pence. “I am very grateful for the efforts of state employees. Last year they dropped off 1,367 phones in HopeLine boxes around the government center campus. I am looking forward to watching our progress throughout the month of October as we continue to work together to make a difference and bring awareness to domestic violence.”

The phone drive, launched in conjunction with domestic violence awareness month, will collect no-longer-used cell phones and accessories from any provider for survivors of domestic violence. HopeLine provides new phones equipped with 3,000 anytime minutes to those in need through participating domestic violence agencies, and give grants to agencies that assist survivors of domestic violence. The donated phones are refurbished and recycled in an environmentally safe way with proceeds going towards the financial support of domestic violence awareness and prevention initiatives.

Since 2001, HopeLine from Verizon has collected more than 11.4 million phones nationwide and has donated more than $29 million in cash grants to domestic violence organizations nationwide.

“First Lady Karen Pence’s drives are one of the most successful drives in the nation and engages thousands of people at a single time,” said John Granby, Verizon Great Lakes market president. “The commitment of our partners makes it possible to support community organizations that are on the front line assisting survivors and their families.”

Donation boxes will be located among Indiana’s state agencies as well as in the Indiana Statehouse outside the Office of the First Lady, Room 215, and the Office of the Governor, Room 206.

Here are steps on how to donate phones through HopeLine from Verizon:

1. Erase any data from the phone and disconnect the device’s service with your wireless provider.
2. Remove any storage cards (microSD, etc.) and SIM cards from the phone, and be sure to include any travel chargers or other accessories that came with the device that you no longer need.
3. Turn off the phone’s power.
4. Make sure the phone’s batteries are installed in the phone. Please do not include any loose batteries.
5. Drop your phone and accessories in the HopeLine box outside the Office of the First Lady (Room 215), the Office of the Governor (Room 206) in the Statehouse, or in the boxes at each of your respective agencies.