Verizon Employees Throughout the Country Collect More Than $500,000 Worth of Back-to-School Supplies to Assist Hundreds of Schools and Nonprofits

The Verizon Wireless volunteer team at Maumee OH collected more than $5,500 worth of school supplies during the Tools for School campaign. Pictured from left to right: Denetta Webber, Abe (Ibrahim) Jadallah, Patti Vasquez, Erin O'Connell, Angalec Hogan, Andrea Benore, Kevin Fletcher, Michelle Maddux, Mike Young, Ashley Gould, Lisa Johnson and Fred Johnson.

Verizon employees across the country have collected more than $500,000 worth of back-to-school supplies to assist schools and nonprofit organizations. The volunteers participated in a three-week Tools for School campaign to collect new and gently used rulers, crayons, backpacks and other items children need to start the school year.

Employees at more than 500 Verizon locations took part in the campaign. The school supplies will be distributed to more than 400 schools and nonprofit organizations in the local communities where the supplies were collected, with a specific focus on schools with a large population of students from low-income families.

"Many of our students can't afford the numerous school supplies needed for today's classrooms," said Teresa Grenauf, principal of Southwick Elementary School in Fort Wayne, Ind. "We can't wait to see their faces when we are able to provide them with all the supplies they need to get the year off to a great start."

Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston said, "Verizon has a long history of supporting education. Whether it's by providing free interactive educational resources for parents and teachers through Verizon Thinkfinity.org or by volunteering to assist an after-school program, Verizon will continue support efforts to provide the tools children need to succeed in the classroom."