Donate an Unused Cell Phone to Help Victims' Services Agencies

By: PostalAnnex+ | 1 Shares 236 Reads

Effort helps Dometic Violence Shelters, Elder Services

San Diego, Calif. (Grassroots Newswire)- It's an uncomfortable fact that each year, approximately 130 million wireless cell phones are retired in the U.S. Other studies have estimated there are more than 500 million cell phones lying idle in drawers, closets and toy boxes throughout America. While most of us consider our cell phones to be items we cannot live without, they are easily replaceable, and what do we do with the older, used models?

A wireless industry survey indicated that 70 percent of U.S. consumers have no idea what to do with their used phones. Of those, 90 percent said they would donate the phones if given the opportunity.

Your home probably has an old cell phone or two sitting in your desk, your closet or your bookcase. You don't want to throw it out, because it seems like there still ought to be some value left in that device. And you're right. Those wireless phones can support thousands of vulnerable citizens nationwide. A donation may help a senior citizen enjoy an added measure of security, or give hope to a victim of domestic abuse. So where can you take your unused phones?

PostalAnnex+, Handle With Care-Packaging Store, and Sunshine Pack & Ship stores are helping gather them for a worthy cause. Phones accumulated at these stores will be turned over to the 911 Cell Phone Bank. This organization collects, recycles and distributes over 2,000 phones per month to law enforcement and victim services agencies.

"Seniors and victims of abuse really need a phone for emergency use," said Steve Goble, vice president of marketing communications for Annex Brands. "We'd not only like to help get them a phone, but help communities as well by promoting recycling, which will keep these phones out of landfills." Goble said 911 Cell Phone Bank has been operating since May of 2004, and is a worthy organization. In the past five years, the organization has provided tens of thousands of cell phones nationwide.

To donate a phone, take it into a PostalAnnex+, Handle With Care-Packaging Store, or Sunshine Pack & Ship store. "We'll make sure donations get to the 911 Cell Phone Bank and begin the process of recycling them for use to people in need," said Goble.

As a thank-you, Goble said donors will receive a flyer good for free copies, discounts on shipping and more. "We hope communities will go through their closets, drawers and boxes and pull out all those unused cell phones," commented Goble. "Our goal is to send 911 Cell Phone Bank over 100 phones in March. And this event should be a win-win for everyone. The donor is involved in recycling a needed item to a person in need, while getting a thank-you gift in return."

The giving spirit most often associated with the December holidays doesn't need to stop in the new year. This program keeps that giving spirit alive, helping many in need feel more safe and secure, Goble said.

About Annex Brands

Annex Brands, Inc. is a franchisor of the PostalAnnex+, Handle With Care-Packaging Store, Sunshine Pack & Ship and SPS Moving brands. Formerly known as Postal Annex+, Inc, Annex Brands is headquartered in San Diego, California. Its brands offer shipping and business services such as moving van, freight shipping, small parcel and overnight document delivery services, private mailbox rental, notary service, high-speed copying in black & white and color, office supplies, web site/e-commerce services, faxing service, printing, stationery, rubber address stamps, key duplication, greeting cards and assorted gift items, all in a convenient, service-oriented environment.

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