Verizon Hawaii Phone Book Recycling Contest Raises Funds for Big Island Schools

HONOLULU - Big Island school pupils in kindergarten through the 12th grade can earn cash for their schools by participating in Verizon Hawaii's 13th annual phone book recycling contest. The contest runs from Feb. 2 through Feb. 28.

Verizon Hawaii will present first, second and third-place awards of $500, $200 and $100, respectively, to the top three schools that collect the most phone books for recycling. KTA Super Stores will donate a $100 gift certificate to each of the top six schools.

"We encourage students and their families and friends to collect old directories from their neighborhoods, local businesses and condominium associations," said Ben Muramoto, Verizon manager for Big Island. "By keeping outdated directories out of our landfills, students are helping the environment while raising extra funds for their schools."

Contest information has been sent to Big Island school principals. Winning schools will be announced later in the spring.

The 2003-2004 Verizon SuperPages directories are being distributed on the Big Island and will be distributed to more than 2 million residents and businesses statewide this year. The directory's front cover features the work of Big Island artist Kathleen Kam. Entitled "Ka aina o Pele," the cover art depicts the volcano Kilauea erupting, framed by the area's lush rainforest foliage, including nearly 20 indigenous plants.

Honolulu-born Kam studied at the Honolulu Academy of Arts and the University of Hawaii before relocating to Hilo, where she has lived for many years. She is an art instructor at St. Joseph High School.

A Fortune 10 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $67 billion in revenues. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with more than 139 million access line equivalents and 36 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is the third largest long-distance carrier for U.S. consumers, with nearly 16 million long-distance lines. The company is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. Verizon's international presence includes wireline and wireless communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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