White Plains, NY, August 4, 2010:    The Verizon Sustainability Initiative, funded by a $100,000 grant from Verizon Foundation www.verizonfoundation.org., is being conducted in partnership with Sisters of the Divine Compassion of White Plains, NY. 

The Sisters intend to be a leading environmental steward, transforming their Good Counsel Campus at 52 North Broadway to become an energy-efficient and environmentally responsible community.  

Objectives of this unique initiative include reducing the carbon footprint of the Sisters’ ministries and creating an environmentally conscious community of Sisters, board members, employees, students, parents of students, faculty and staff in their schools and other ministries.  This grant supports the completion of raingardens and bioswales ( landscape elements designed to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water), on campus as well as the installation of wireless, energy management technology hardware and software.  Additionally, the Sisters are initiating an environmental education, outreach, and communication program including an emphasis on “Idle and Smoke Free” campus awareness.

An environmental study has already resulted in a conversion to more energy efficient lighting, the preliminary installation of motion sensors to control lighting usage.  The raingardens and bioswales are part of a rain water management and bio-retention system. The Verizon Foundation grant is consistent with the company’s commitment to environmentally conscious practices. 

Verizon has a comprehensive approach to sustainability and is continually seeking ways to reduce the company’s environmental impact and improve efficiency. Verizon’s energy-conservation initiatives range from operating the nation’s largest fuel cell site of its kind (in Garden City, N.Y.), to using solar panels, to requiring suppliers to provide equipment that is more energy-efficient. For more information about Verizon’s commitment to the environment, visit http://newscenter.verizon.com/kit/green-press-kit/.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2009, the Verizon Foundation awarded $67.9 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $26.1 million in combined contributions to nonprofits.  Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation’s largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 5 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.