Verizon Donations for Tsunami Relief Efforts Top $1 Million

Verizon (www.verizon.com) employees responded quickly and generously when the company last week announced a special disaster relief program to aid the victims of the deadly tsunami, resulting to date in more than $1 million in donations to two relief agencies.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, is matching employee contributions to the American Red Cross and UNICEF on a 2-to-1 basis through Jan. 31.

Employees have made donations ranging from $50 to $2,500 in the less than two business days since the disaster relief program was announced. Employee gifts totaling about $346,000 were made to the American Red Cross and UNICEF, with a Verizon Foundation match of $665,000, for a total of $1,010,750. Additionally, the foundation last week contributed $50,000 to each of the two organizations.

"Employees have been just outstanding with their outpouring of employee contributions and their concern for the children, women and men affected by the disaster in South Asia and East Africa," said Patrick R. Gaston, president of the Verizon Foundation. "We are proud of our employees for stepping forward and making these donations, which will surely make a difference in the lives of thousands of people."

Under the Verizon Foundation's Disaster Incentive Relief Program, the company provides matches up to $2,500 annually per employee.

The Verizon Foundation uses its resources in the United States and abroad to develop partnerships in technology and connect them with organizations serving the needs of diverse communities, people with disabilities, victims of domestic violence, and the economically and socially disadvantaged.