Local Boy Scout Collects Used Wireless Phones For Victims of Domestic Violence

June 26, 2004 -- Boy Scout Jeff Tatanus of Troop 113 in Webster is collecting used wireless phones as part of the national Call to Protect program for his Eagle Scout Project. The Call to Protect program, started by the Wireless Foundation, Motorola and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), collects used wireless phones which are then refurbished or recycled in an environmentally sound manner.

"The primary goal of Call to Protect is to collect enough used wireless phones to meet the needs of domestic violence victims nationwide," said David Diggs, Executive Director of the Wireless Foundation. "Thousands of individuals, companies and organizations across the country have supported Call to Protect by launching collection drives in their local areas to help us meet our goal. Through the use of wireless technology, Call to Protect can help protect thousands of victims from further abuse," Diggs said.

To aid in this collection effort, Jeff will be collecting wireless phones from now through the end of August at locations throughout the Rochester area. People wishing to participate should visit http://www.donate585.org in order to find a convenient collection location. Drop-off boxes can be found at locations such as libraries, YMCAs, and cellular phone retailers. Any business or organization that would like to participate is urged to contact Jeff at (585) 671-1008 or email to jeff@donate585.org.

Jeff is sixteen years old, and a will be a junior at the Aquinas Institute of Rochester in the fall. He has been a Boy Scout since the age of six. He is actively involved in the community with volunteer work at the Webster Public Library and Saint Rita Church, where he is a parishioner. "It's a win-win-win situation," Jeff says. "When you donate, you get the tax deduction, the discarded phone doesn't pollute the environment, and you could save someone's life."

In organizing the Eagle project, Jeff has obtained donations of cartons to be used as drop boxes and financial contributions to cover shipping, copying of flyers, and mailings to potential locations for collection boxes. He has also recruited and organized volunteers to follow up with phone calls to potential collection locations, assemble collection boxes, and place drop boxes in over 60 locations. Jeff has also uses his computer skills to create the website for his project. Combined, Jeff and all of the other volunteers have already put over 90 hours of their time into this project.

The Call to Protect program is a national educational and philanthropic program aimed at combating domestic violence. Call to Protect provides the security and mobility of wireless phones to victims of domestic violence, especially during the transition from living in an abusive situation to regaining safety and independence. The wireless phones, pre-programmed to dial 911 and one non-emergency number, can summon help immediately and assist a victim in transitioning from a life of fear to a feeling of protection 24 hours a day.

Since Call to Protect began, the Wireless Foundation, Motorola and wireless service providers across the country have donated nearly 30,000 wireless phones and airtime to domestic violence organizations and those working to combat abuse.

"Unfortunately, there are an estimated four million domestic violence victims each year," said Rita Smith, Executive Director of the NCADV. "The Call to Protect program has made a difference in the lives of thousands of victims," she said. "The Call to Protect wireless phones help abused women regain the confidence and freedom they so rightly deserve."   

If you have a phone you're no longer using, please donate it today at any one of the many locations listed at http://www.donate585.org. For more information on the national Call to Protect campaign, call 1-888-901-SAFE or visit http://www.calltoprotect.org.

About the Wireless Foundation
The Wireless Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established by the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) in 1993. The Foundation oversees a number of programs designed to put wireless technology to work addressing the challenges of society.

About the NCADV
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence was organized in 1978 by a group of over 100 battered women's advocates. Based in Colorado, NCADV serves as a national information and referral center for the general public, the media, battered women and their children, and other agencies and organizations involved with issues related to domestic abuse. For more information, please visit http://www.ncadv.org.




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