Wireless Phone Drive Fights Domestic Violence
For release: Oct. 15, 2002
For press information, contact Gabrielle Maxey

Hang up and save a life. That's what the group Students Advocating Service is hoping folks with spare cellular phones will do. The University of Memphis students, who perform community service projects throughout the year, are collecting unused wireless phones for domestic violence shelters.

The effort is ongoing, but SAS is holding a special drive during The U of M's Homecoming. Collection bins will be set up at each gate at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Saturday, Nov. 2, when the Tigers play the University of Houston.

SAS will donate the phones to "Call to Protect," a national program sponsored by the Wireless Foundation, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and wireless providers. Each phone will be refurbished and programmed with direct links to local emergency services and domestic violence hotlines. The recycled phones will then be distributed to residents of domestic violence shelters, case workers, law enforcement agencies and others working to fight domestic violence.

"We thought this was a wonderful opportunity, and it will help to educate the public about domestic violence," said Laura Pevahouse, Student Government Association president and a board member of SAS. "When I worked at a radio station two years ago, we collected phones at concerts. We hope to collect even more here."

Since the program was launched in 1996, more than 100,000 women have used "Call to Protect" phones. Many say that having a wireless phone makes them feel more secure.

In addition to the collection points at the Homecoming game, other drop-off sites for used cell phones are the Student Activities Council office (University Center Room 425) and the SGA office (University Center Room 411) on the U of M campus, or any local Verizon Wireless office.

For more information, call Pevahouse at 678-2052.

More News Releases