SEN. WILLIAMS ANNOUNCES PROGRAM TO PROVIDE SENIORS WITH CELL PHONES FOR EMERGENCY USE

HARRISBURG, July 24, 2002 - - State Senator Connie Williams today announced a program to provide senior citizens in Pennsylvania with refurbished cell phones to be used in the event of an emergency. The program is sponsored by the Fairness Advocates for Intergenerational Rights (FAIR), a non-profit organization serving Philadelphia’s senior citizens.

Sen. Williams said that nine-month old program has already provided 1,500 senior citizens with refurbished cell phones but there are currently 1,200 people still on the waiting list.

"Donating an old cell phone with no active service to FAIR will ensure that a senior citizen will be able to call 911 in the event of an emergency," Williams (D-Montgomery/Delaware) said.

"This program gives us a way to put our old cell phones to a good use rather than throwing them away."

The Senator also pointed out that FAIR will write a letter for people who have donated cell phones to be used for tax write-off purposes.

Cell phone drop-off sites will be located throughout the Philadelphia area as well as in both of Sen. Williams’ district offices.

"I hope this program sees a huge response so that Pennsylvania seniors can feel more confident and safe throughout their day knowing that 911 is only a cell phone call away," Williams said.

The following senior centers will be providing cell-phone drop-off boxes:

Ardmore Senior Center
117 Ardmore Ave.
ARdmore, PA 19003

Havertown Senior Center
1105 Earlington Rd.
Havertown, PA 19083

Upper Merion Senior Center
650 S. Henderson Rd.
King of Prussia, PA 19406

Wayne Senior Center
108 Station Rd.
Wayne, PA 19087

Eldernet of Lower Merion and Narberth
9 South Bryn Mawr Ave.
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

For more information about the program and drop-off site locations, please contact the Senator’s King of Prussia district office (610) 992-9790 or her Havertown office (610) 853-5433.