Get to Know Verizon, Your Ecosystem Partner!

First it was C & P, then Bell Atlantic, and now Verizon. And over time, more than just our name has changed. We are a communications company, and in addition to delivering telephone services, we also provide broadband services and video entertainment. But we are not just a provider. We are your Internet ecosystem partner in the broadband world of today. Verizon connects you to the collaborative community of broadband services providers. I invite you to get to know the company that we have become by reading this edition of "Verizon Connections."

Verizon focuses on data, video, wireless, and advanced business services. We invested over $626 million throughout the region last year. We improved and expanded our all-fiber-optic network, called FiOS, earning top ratings from J. D. Power and PC Mag.com.

Verizon's nationwide wireless data network also earns top ratings. We're leading the way in deploying the next generation of wireless technology, called 4G, or LTE which stands for Long Term Evolution. In the next few years, 4G will be available throughout the region, enabling advanced applications and empowering our customers. Our innovative broadband and wireless technologies support small and large businesses, government, and residential customers. We are tackling the world's to-do list with our innovations, technologies, and partnerships in the internet ecosystem.

Verizon is engaged in the communities where we live and work. Nonprofit groups in Maryland and Washington, D.C. received nearly $10 million and our employee volunteers gave back in excess of 60,000 hours to address the issues that affect our employees and customers - from domestic violence prevention to education to online safety. You can read more about these and our other initiatives in our Corporate Responsibility Report.

All of us at Verizon believe deeply that what we do is vital to our state and country's competitiveness. We continue to work for fair public policies that encourage investment, innovation, and job growth. We look forward to sharing our success with our customers, our communities and our shareholders in the years ahead.

President Obama Attends Event Showcasing Verizon's Green Fleet

In connection with the celebration of Earth Day this past April, Verizon was among five companies recognized by President Barack Obama for adding substantial numbers of green vehicles to their motor vehicle fleets.

During an event attended by the President and William R. Roberts, president of Verizon Maryland and the District of Columbia, Verizon showcased some of the newest energy-efficient motor vehicles.

"We're replacing less-efficient vehicles with transformational, energy-efficient cars and trucks - a move that will have a long-term impact on reducing and improving fuel consumption and reducing pollutants," said William Roberts. "This event is a clear example of what happens when companies are allowed to innovate and deploy different technologies to meet their needs while achieving our shared environmentally positive goals."

Verizon has the third-largest corporate vehicle fleet in the nation, which includes nearly 2,000 alternative-fuel vehicles in its fleet. The company plans to have up to 15 percent of its fleet operating with alternative fuels by 2015.

Representatives from Verizon participated in a special ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Verizon Wellness Room, of the Cornerstone Program managed by the District Alliance for Safe Housing, Inc. (DASH). The Verizon Wellness Room is designed to provide women escaping abuse with a dedicated warm, secure area to practice safe care and heal from the trauma they have experienced. The mission of DASH is to ensure access to safe and sustainable refuge for victims of domestic violence

Peg Hacskaylo, executive director of DASH with Karen Campbell, regional vice president of Verizon MD/DC.

through the development and management of safe housing and related services. The DASH Cornerstone program currently is the largest safe housing facility for survivors of domestic violence in the District of Columbia with 43 units and 150 beds for women and children.

"Women who have been displaced from their homes because of domestic violence desperately need a place to feel safe from the turmoil they've experienced" said Peg Hacskaylo, Executive Director of DASH. "Verizon has made it possible for the women living here to recover from the chaos of abusive homes and have a space to find peace and healing essential for them to move forward in their lives. That kind of support is invaluable" Ms. Hacskaylo said of the project.

The Verizon Wellness Room at DASH Cornerstone was made possible by a $10,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation. To learn more about Domestic Violence prevention programs through the Verizon Foundation, please visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

Verizon Connects with Small Business at DC Hispanic Business Expo

Verizon recently sponsored the Internet Café at the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's (GWHCC) 2nd Annual Business Expo.

The Expo attracted more than 500 attendees, including business owners, corporate representatives, government and community leaders.

Verizon's Small Business and Wireless marketing teams showcased the latest broadband and wireless technology and solutions for small businesses. Verizon also gave away an iPAD to the winner of our drawing during the Business Expo's VIP reception.

Greater DC Cares Servathon 2011

Verizon partnered with the nonprofit organization Greater DC Cares as part of Servathon 2011. Servathon is the number one largest volunteer event in the Maryland and D.C. region. 8,023 volunteers came out to help with a number of community service projects. Twenty-five Verizon employees volunteered with two different area nonprofits, Byte Back in Washington, D.C. and the Family Crisis Center in Maryland.

Byte Back

Byte Back is one of Verizon's community partners providing computer and job readiness training to low income and no income residents. Volunteers provide one-on-one coaching for students in various Microsoft applications, giving the teacher the ability to move further with more advanced students. Verizon's support went towards the beginning computer literacy training program which is a prerequisite to all other computer learning classes at the facility. Byte Back serves approximate 500 students annually.

The Family Crisis Center of Prince George's County

Volunteers assisted with painting and organizing supplies to be utilized within the facility, the only domestic violence victim housing facility in the county.

Learn more

Verizon Employee Resource Group Supports Asian American LEAD

Verizon recently sponsored the Asian American LEAD (AALEAD) Annual Gala. AALead is a premier community-based organization that provides educational enrichment and youth development programs to Asian American youth in Washington, D.C.

Verizon supports the AALEAD's After School programs. The Gala celebrated the achievements of AALEAD and attracted more than 300 supporters. Asian Pacific Employees for Excellence (APEX) is a Verizon employee resource group that aims to provide personal and professional

development programs for its members, increase cultural awareness and provide outreach and support to the community.

Verizon Wireless and Verizon Foundation Fund DC Teen Outreach Program

Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation have awarded $20,000 to the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) to support outreach to help teenagers understand the importance of respectful, healthy dating relationships and the warning signs of abusive ones. Each year, SMYAL provides structured after-school programming to more than 350 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. According to Andrew Barnett, executive director of SMYAL,

(L to R) Amena Johnson, SMYAL director of programs, Andrew Barnett, SMYAL executive director, Betsy Purcell, board chair, SMYAL and Jeffrey Nelson,corporate communications executive director for Verizon Wireless.

"LGBTQ youth continue to face rejection, isolation and hopelessness as they struggle through their adolescence. We're tremendously grateful for the grant from Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation because it will help us reinforce SMYAL's mission to promote and support self-confident, healthy, productive lives for all youth."

Verizon Wireless, through its HopeLine® Phone Recycling Program, provides wireless phones and airtime to victims of domestic violence and cash grants to local shelters and nonprofit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention, awareness and advocacy. As part of its outreach programming, SMYAL will launch HopeLine phone special collections throughout the Greater Washington, D.C., area.