PHONES FOR LIFE PROGRAM COLLECTION NOW AT WILLIAMS’ OFFICES

 HARRISBURG, SEPT. 20 – State Sen. Connie Williams has offered both of her district offices as collection points for a national cellular phone collection program, designed to provide seniors with an opportunity to quickly call for emergency services.

 “Cell phones can be great conveniences and it seems like each year there is new technology available that allows the phones to provide even greater service,” Williams said. “Each year, thousands of cell phones are put in drawers, in basements or stashed in closets as people purchase newer models. Phones for Life provides people the opportunity to donate old cell phones and cell phone equipment, so that the phones can be distributed to older adults who may not be able to afford a cell phone, but who would benefit from having the ability to easily and immediately summon emergency assistance.”

 The program, which since 2000 has been collecting used cell phones for seniors, is currently soliciting cell phones and money to purchase additional cell phones for its Hurricane Katrina “Emergency Fear Relief” effort. Through this initiative, phones will be distributed to displaced victims relocated throughout the United States and in Gulf Coast affected areas through regional offices of the aged and senior citizens services.

 Collected phones are reprogrammed to allow free 9-1-1 calls, providing access to emergency services in the event of a safety or medical emergency.

 “The mission of the program is to provide seniors with a sense of security, as well as empowering people to remain independent,” Williams said. “Many of the people who receive cell phones have health problems or live by themselves. By giving them cell phones that can connect them to emergency services, we offer them the ability to resume more activity outside of their house, and more security while they are at home.”

 “Hurricane Katrina has forced the evacuation of thousands of people from Gulf Coast states,” Williams said. “These people left with not much more than the clothes on their backs and a few items that they could carry. These phones will provide a new element of security for evacuees, especially as they are temporarily relocated, or even when they are allowed to return and are awaiting the restoration of phone and utility services.”

 All used cell phones (even those with missing chargers or parts), batteries and chargers, will be accepted at either of Williams’ district offices, which are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Offices are located at 700 S. Henderson Road, Suite 100A King of Prussia and in the Manoa Shopping Center, Suite 39, 1305 West Chester Pike, Havertown.

 Williams reminds her constituents that cellular phone companies also collect used cell phones. For the convenience of her constituents, a partial listing of companies that collect used cell phones can be found on the Home page of her Web site at www.pasenate.com/cwilliams.

 For more information about Phones for Life, call Williams’ offices at either 610-992-9790 or 610-853-5433, or visit the organization’s Web site at www.phones4life.org or www.phones4life.com.