Help curb domestic violence by donating your old cell phone to ‘HopeLine'

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month which means it’s an ideal time to look at what each one of us can do to bring the serious subject of domestic violence to light. Domestic violence does not discriminate. It’s an epidemic that affects individuals in every community, regardless of age, gender, economic status, race, religion, or educational background. While men are not immune to this issue, statistics show that 23.6% of women report at least one lifetime episode of intimate-partner violence. That’s a sister, a mother, or a daughter you may know who is a victim or who has been affected by domestic violence. Although we can’t stop domestic violence overnight, we can work to shift the statistics in a positive direction. Major social change starts small. It’s as simple as an individual deciding to take action because good deeds are contagious. All it takes is “ONE.” One person to donate his or her old wireless phone to HopeLine, Verizon Wireless’ phone recycling and reuse program. The no-longer used phone - quite possibly stored and forgotten - not only represents an opportunity to help give a victim a connection to support or emergency services but also a link to friends, family and potential employers. Donating phones is simple. HopeLine collects old wireless phones, batteries and accessories from any wireless service provider at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide or by mail using postage-paid labels available at www.verizonwireless.com/hopelinemailinglabel. If every person reading this gave just one phone, imagine the positive impact we could make in the lives of domestic violence survivors. Each of us has an opportunity to take action and help break the cycle of violence. Remember the only activity too small is the act of doing nothing at all. Every phone counts. So grab your old phone, spread the word and visit a Verizon Wireless store or mail-in your old phone and make a difference this October. Eileen Lambert Associate Director-Human Resources Verizon Wireless Orangeburg, N.Y. The writer notes that for 14 years, the company has devoted its community service efforts to domestic violence awareness and prevention through its HopeLine program. For more information on HopeLine, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.