- By Dan Veaner
- Business & Technology
Print 
Cornell Real Estate Director Stephan Lauzier presents award to Verizon Wireless Corporate Sales manager Tracey Austin
"We are very excited to have been recognized for our contribution to the community," says Corporate Sales Manager Tracey Austin. "We take great pride in being involved in the communities in which we live and work. I am proud that my Team is willing to participate, and that Verizon Wireless as a company also supports those endeavors."
"The award recognizes volunteer and community service efforts made by companies, and employees of companies, located at the Cornell Business and Technology Park," says Cornell Real Estate Project Manager Melissa Baldassarre. "Nomination forms are sent out to all the not-for-profits in Tompkins County as well as all the companies within the Business & Technology Park. This includes the United Way and Human Services Coalition. We receive several nominations that are reviewed and chosen based on the quality and quantity of community service."
The award includes $2,000 that the winner designates for a not-for-profit organization. Verizon Wireless chose to split the award between Ithaca Children's Garden for their work in education and sustainability training for children, and $1000 to Advocacy Center.
Austin presents check to Joan Barber
The Ithaca Children's Garden is responsible for the giant concrete Turtle in Cass Park. it is a three acre public garden designed to give children a connection with plants and the natural world. The 11 year old organization also provides programs to support that mission, including weekly programs such as 'Wetlands Explorers,' 'The Amazing Cattail,' and 'All About Turtles.'
The Ithaca Advocacy Center provides services for victims of domestic and dating violence, and child and adult sexual abuse. They have offered these free services since 1977, and offer preventive programs as well. One of the ways people support the center is to donate used cell phones through Verizon Wireless's Hopeline program.
Hopeline, Verizon Wireless's primary community service program, provides a way to recycle old cell phones in a way that is environmentally friendly as well as helping those in need. Last year alone the company awarded nearly $60,000 in grants in upstate New York, and another $12,500 to NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence. They also donated over 250 phones to ten domestic violence services organizations across the region. Since it was founded in 2001 Hopeline has collected over 5 million phones and awarded more than $5 million in cash grants to fight domestic violence. it has donated over 60,000 phones to be used by victims of domestic violence.
"We are very excited to have been recognized for our contribution to the community," Austin says. "We take great pride in being involved in the communities in which we live and work. I am proud that my Team is willing to participate, and that Verizon Wireless as a company also supports those endeavors."
The local office has sponsored many local events, including Taste of the Nation and the Corning Classic which helps support Cayuga Medical Center. The office participates in American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Red Cross, Aids Ride for Life, Women Swimmin', Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive, and others, including the United Way. "We continue to strive to be an active participant in supporting as much as we possibly can both individually and as a group," Austin says.
Advocacy Center Executive Director Joan Barber was on hand to receive an oversized check for $1,000. Austin accepted a second $1,000 check for the Children's Garden in behalf of the organization.
The party featured a huge spread of food and drinks, Backtalk Band, games and caricaturists, all laid out in an enormous tent erected by the business park pond. Past winners of the award include International Food Network (2007), Advion (2006), Integrated Acquisition & Development (2005), and CBORD (2004).
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