ECU collects used cell phones for good cause

GREENVILLE, N.C. (Aug. 26, 2008) -- Most people don’t have much use for an old cell phone. But, in the hands of a domestic violence victim, it can be a lifesaving tool.

East Carolina University students, faculty and staff have been asked to donate used cell phones to the Family Violence Program of Pitt County. A donation booth will be set up outside Wright Plaza on Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dawn Gibbs, a paralegal in ECU’s Student Legal Services, began the on-campus drive four months ago, soliciting old phones and their accessories. So far, she has received more than 160 phones, 39 chargers and 15 batteries, she said.

“People upgrade their cell phones all the time,” Gibbs said. “So instead of just having the phone sit around your house, you can donate it to a good cause.”

That good cause is local victims of domestic violence. Cell phone companies activate working phones to make 911 calls only. The Family Violence Program then loans those phones to its clients for emergency use.

The cell phone companies make a small, monetary donation to the program for each phone they aren’t able to activate.

Gibbs, who formerly worked in a district attorney’s office, said she knew the needs of the Family Violence Program and wanted to get ECU involved. “I thought this would be a great way to help out the organization,” she said.

The cell phone drive will continue for two months.

Phones can be delivered to the Legal Services department at 1704B Arlington Boulevard or dropped off at a donation booth set up once a month outside Wright Plaza. Drop off dates are Aug. 27, Sept. 24 and Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.   

For more information, contact Gibbs at 737-1067 or e-mail, gibbsmi@ecu.edu.