100 Things Challenge: Hello-Goodbye

Cleaning out my drawers, I found two old cell phones. One was a pay-as-you-go and the other was about five years old. Just sitting there taking up space. So, in my quest for release, I did a search on what to do with old phones. I knew that there were phone collection sites that helped schools earn money by creating collection campaigns and sending in old phones.

If you are connected to a church or school organization, or any group for that matter, then you might want to check into Secure the Call. Its a non profit charity that is dedicated to providing free emergency 911 cell phones to people who need them. Over 250 community-based organizations have joined this group already to help redistribute the phones after reprogramming.

Here's some quick info to answer some questions you might have:
-They accept all makes and models of mobile phones.
-They recycle phones that cannot be used.
-Secure the Call checks for suitability as 911 emergency access phones.
-They clean, wipe out old software and old numbers, reprogram and test each phone.
-You can download a tax receipt and mailing label here- Secure.

Another great program that will enable you to recycle your phones and help others at the same time is Verizon's Hopeline. I heard about this program on the Today Show when Maria Shriver talked about donating her cell phone that she got caught driving and talking with! Anyway, this program at Verizon Wireless assists victims of domestic violence with wireless service and a phone.

Here's information from their site:
The long-running HopeLine program collects no-longer-used wireless phones and equipment in any condition from any service provider. The used phones are either refurbished or recycled. With the funds raised from the sale of the refurbished phones, Verizon Wireless donates wireless phones and airtime to victims, and provides funding and other contributions to non-profit domestic violence shelters and prevention programs across the country.

Verizon also concentrates on protecting the environment by collecting spent rechargeable batteries for recycling. More than 200 tons of batteries have been prevented from entering community landfills. Consider donating your used phones to Hopeline.

Let me know if you donate a phone and if you find other programs for recycling cell phones.