EVERETT , Wash. , Dec. 15 (UPI) -- The Verizon Foundation Thursday awarded $175 ,000 in grants to 16 Puget Sound non-profit organizations. The money will be used by the organizations to provide educational and technological services , the charitable arm of the telecommunications group said in a news release. "Verizon's commitment to literacy , technology and work force training go hand in hand with our company's deployment of technology to benefit customers ," said John Gustafson , Verizon Northwest director of external affairs. "These grants offer expanded opportunities for those served by these organizations."

• Vatican transmitters linked to leukemia
• US failed to infiltrate al-Jazeera claim
• United execs got $1.3 mil in bonuses