How to Donate Old Cell Phones for 911
When you upgrade to a new phone, instead of throwing your old phone away or stashing it in a drawer, consider donating it so someone can use it to call 911. With most cell phones, you don't need a cell phone plan to call 911, you just need a cell phone. By donating a phone you could help someone get aid in an emergency situation, thus saving a life.
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Instructions
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Send your cell phone to Cell Phone Bank or drop it off at a donation center near you. Cell Phone Bank distributes phones to victims' services organizations across the nation, which in turn give the phones to victims. If you choose to mail it to them, you can print a prepaid mailing label, available on their website, and they will pay for the shipping. On the website you can also search by state, county and city to find a drop-off location near you and you can print tax deduction forms
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Contact Cell Phones for life. The organization gives the phones to battered woman and seniors who can use them for emergency 911 calls. Mail the phone to the organization. You will need to pay the cost of shipping unless you have six or more cell phones, in which case it will arrange for UPS. When your phone is received you will be sent a tax deduction form in the mail.
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Send your cell phone, batteries and accessories to Verizon Hopeline, which donates them to domestic violence agencies. The phones given to the victims have 3,000 anytime minutes loaded on to them. Victims can call anyone, including 911 or law enforcement. Prepaid shipping labels are available on the website. You can also bring your phone to a Verizon Wireless retail store in your area.
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Tips & Warnings
Before donating your cell phone, cancel the cell phone service. Delete any personal information on the phone such as old text messages. Before sending it in, unlock the phone and delete any passwords needed to unlock the phone in the future.
References
- Photo Credit young woman calling on a cell phone at night image by Konstantin Sutyagin from Fotolia.com
