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Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Carl Orr, owner of Colour Shoppe Draperies & Interiors, has been collecting old cell phones to help victims of domestic violence.
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Resident reaches out to violence victims
Wireless Foundation to collect cell phones for redistribution
By GEORGE MOORE
The Wireless Foundation has been finding new homes for old cellular phones for the past eight years. The nonprofit orgazation, established by the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, provides refurbished cell phones to victims of domestic violence across the country as a lifeline in the case of an emergency.
Carl Orr, chairman of the Fine Arts Commission in Cupertino, said he read about the program last year and decided it was something he wanted to pursue. Since November, his Colour Shoppe Draperies & Interiors store has been a collection site, and in eight months he had collected about 600 pounds of used cell phones, which are shipped to Motorola Inc. in Ann Arbor, Mich., for refurbishing. Orr said he has collected 500 more pounds of phones since and ships them twice a month but is worried about the expense. He said a corporate sponsor or service club is needed.
"It's a wonderful program, and we're happy to be involved with the collection, but shipping them is becoming a burden," Orr said. "It would be marvelous if someone would come forward to help with that part of it."
Orr said he has not turned down any phones yet, but would like to be able to ship them more frequently, rather than having to wait and budget the process.
The "Donate a Phone" program is a partnership between the Wireless Foundation, Motorola and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and provides victims with a cell phone that is programmed to dial 911 and one or two other chosen numbers, such as a social worker or family member. There is no charge for airtime--various local wireless service providers donate it to the cause.
Cupertino resident Tom Batley is involved with youth sports and volunteer programs and has been working with the city to set up more collection sites and help with advertising.
"My hope is that it will give the various youth groups in the area another service project," Batley said. "High school students, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts--they all have service requirements, and canvassing neighborhoods for used cell phones is another way for them to get their service hours--and it's a great cause."
The foundation is based in Washington, D.C., and estimates that more than 30 million inactive cell phones are currently in the United States. To date, the organization has donated more than 30,000 phones to victims of domestic violence. More than 5,000 people are victims of domestic abuse each day in the United States, according to the foundation.
Batley said he wants the Cupertino City Hall to become a donation site and hopes local businesses will get involved as well.
Anyone interested in starting a collection site or organizing a cellular phone drive can find out how by visiting www.wirelessfoundation.org. Batley is also available to answer any questions concerning youth programs or sponsorships. He can be reached by calling 408.253.3261 or by email at batleyex@bat.net.com.
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Cupertino, California Since 1947
