NFL Team Takes a Stand Against Domestic Violence

By Lisa Paliotti 

Charity in football has come a long way since the days of “passing the hat”. The Green Bay Packers are linking up with Verizon Wireless for a second year in a row to combat the issue of domestic violence nationally in a campaign titled, “Protection is the Name of the Game."

In 2010, The Green Bay Packers started to collect old cell phones no longer in use at all of their home games. For each phone they received, Verizon Wireless made ten dollar cash donation to benefit domestic violence organizations in Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Packers began their contribution to the Hope Line cell phone drive, receiving a total of 767 cell phones and $7,670 divided amongst the seven existing domestic violence organizations in the local area.

Verizon started the Hope Line in 2001 because of the realization that an old phone sitting in a drawer could be the life saving protection for a victim from their batterer. As fads in new phone technology come and go, your prehistoric flip phone the size of a large sub at De Angelo’s is cooler than you think. That old phone can provide the vital connection between domestic violence victims and emergency support services. That old phone will help that survivor build their life again looking for jobs and housing where they will be safe. Since its commencement the Hope Line has collected over 8 million phones and dispensed over $10 million in grants to domestic violence agencies.

Wide receiver Jordy Nelson alongside his wife Emily talked about the Hope Line in a public service announcement to raise awareness on the topic of domestic violence and encourage fans to bring an old phone to their next game.  The announcement is shown at the beginning of each game, giving voice to the issue of domestic violence to an entire stadium full of people. 

Not a fan of football?  Not to worry, you don’t have to be a Packer’s fan or at a game to get involved in this cause.  Any Verizon Wireless retail store nation-wide will accept phone donations for the Hope Line.

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