The new store, located at 7000 Hadley Road next to Red Lobster, is the third Verizon Wireless store in New Jersey to incorporate a new interactive retail design inviting consumers to experience wireless voice, data, music and video services in a sleek, full-service environment. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The store phone number is 908-753-0801.

Grand-opening festivities begin on Thursday, August 7, with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a presentation of a $1,000 HopeLine(R) donation to Women Aware, Inc., a Middlesex County non-profit domestic violence agency.

On Saturday, August 9, the celebration will continue with refreshments, family fun activities and a chance to win N.Y. Giants pre-season tickets from noon to 4:00 p.m. Family fun activities will continue on Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m.

A recognized corporate leader for its commitment to preventing domestic violence and raising awareness of the issue, the Verizon Wireless donation was made possible through the company's HopeLine(R) phone recycling program.

"We are pleased to welcome Verizon Wireless to the South Plainfield community and thank them for their generous support," said Phyllis Adams, Executive Director of Women Aware. "In addition to financial support, the HopeLine program provides us with a unique opportunity to raise community awareness about the devastating impact of domestic violence."

Verizon Wireless' national HopeLine(R) phone recycling program collects used cell phones of any make or model, from any wireless carrier. Phones are recycled or sold and the proceeds are donated in the form of cash grants and pre-paid wireless handsets to advocacy groups for use by battered women.

Store Manager Steven Fortino encourages local residents to stop by the store, join in the festivities and drop off their old, no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories.

"This small act can make a huge difference in the lives of women and children affected by violence in the home," he said. "HopeLine is an innovative approach that not only helps protect women and families at risk, but also protects the environment by keeping electronic waste out of our landfills."

Verizon Wireless was the first wireless carrier in the nation to collect and recycle old cell phones and has done so since January 1999, first in New Jersey and then across the U.S. Nationally, the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program has given more than $5 million in cash grants and more than 60,000 phones with airtime to domestic violence prevention organizations. Locally, HopeLine's direct and in-kind donations total nearly $1 million.

The new store features over 4,500 square feet of retail, technical support and customer service space and is staffed by knowledgeable wireless professionals. Verizon Wireless offers a broad range of equipment and service options including a new line-up of devices that combine V CAST music capabilities, mobile TV and full access to the Internet and VZ Navigator (Version 4.0) which adds traffic and gas station information to audible turn-by-turn directions.

The South Plainfield Communications Store is the 11th to open in Middlesex County and one of more than 140 Verizon Wireless interactive retail locations in the New York Metro area. HopeLine phone donations are accepted at all Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in New Jersey and across the nation. For store locations and additional information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

An Important Message from The New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women (NJCBW) regarding the Domestic Violence Response Teams. Please click here to read the letter of intent.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE