Jan. 22, 2009

LAS VEGAS - Verizon Wireless and UNLV Athletics are inviting fans to go "green" and help curb domestic violence in the community. Fans attending the UNLV men's basketball game this Saturday, Jan. 24, against Utah at the Thomas & Mack Center can donate their used wireless phones and accessories to the Verizon Wireless HopeLine phone recycling and reuse program.

Drop boxes will be available at the Thomas & Mack Center from 11:30 a.m. until the game starts at 1 p.m. The drop box locations will be out in front of the arena at the Verizon Wireless display across from the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office and also on the concourse at the Verizon Wireless table, which will be in the Link (where the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion connect via the concourse).

Every fan who donates a used phone will receive a two-for-one ticket voucher courtesy of UNLV Athletics redeemable for the Feb. 10 home game against TCU (while supplies last).

In support of the collection, UNLV Athletics has been airing a Public Service Announcement on domestic violence awareness featuring Runnin' Rebel head coach Lon Kruger.

"Anything a community can do to work against domestic violence is worthwhile," Kruger said. "We encourage our fans to participate in this effort."

"We are proud to team up with Coach Kruger and the Rebels to help us raise awareness of this epidemic," said Tony Heyman, regional president for Verizon Wireless. "Together, we can help curb domestic violence and do a good thing for the environment."

Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program collects no-longer used wireless phones, batteries and accessories from any wireless service provider and turns the phones into support for victims of domestic violence. For more information on HopeLine or how to donate a no-longer-used wireless phone, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.