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The Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office announced their partnership with the 911 Cell Phone Bank to collect retired cell phones and raise funds for Project Lifesaver. Project Lifesaver is a program for children with developmental disorders such as Down Syndrome and Autism.
Under the agreement, Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office will collect used cell phones in the community which will be turned over to the 911 Cell Phone Bank for processing. In return, the 911 Cell Phone Bank will provide them with the cash value of the collected cell phones as well as free emergency cell phones.
Residents and businesses are urged to drop off used cell phones at
the Sheriff's Office and at Shop-Rites in Flemington or Clinton. Monetary donations are also appreciated. For information, contact George Muller at (908) 788-1166.
Cell phones contain large amounts of hazardous substances that can pollute the air when burned and leach into our soil and water when hidden in landfills. Those old cell phones can provide needed funds and emergency communication. A recent survey suggests that only 2.3% of cell phone users recycle their phones, but 90% would if they had a drop-off location near them. According to industry statistics on population, Hunterdon County retires over 5,000 cell phones every month.
"Autism is growing at a rate of 10-17 percent per year, and as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of it," explained Hunterdon County Sheriff Deborah V. Trout. "Project Lifesaver clients enrolled in the Project wear a personalized wristband that emits a tracking signal and relies on radio technology and specially trained Sheriff's Officers. The Sheriff's Office Project Lifesaver Task Force is equipped with special tracking equipment that receives the signal enabling us to find the client" added Trout.
James Mosieur, Director of the 911 Cell Phone Bank, said law enforcement agencies around the country are signing up to participate in the 911 Cell Phone Bank Program. "No need is greater than supporting law enforcement agencies who work so tirelessly on behalf of their local communities," said Mosieur. "We're happy to enable residents to not only receive emergency cell phones, but to donate and give back to their community as well."
Sheriff John Bunnell (retired), presenter and co-producer of TV's World's Wildest Police Videos, recorded a public service announcement for the 911 Cell Phone Bank. To view, please go to http://newsletters.911cellphonebank.org/sheriff-john-bunnell.html. For stories of how emergency cell phones can help people, see http://newsletters.911cellphonebank.org/true-stories.html.
About Hunterdon County Project Lifesaver
The present cost of the Project Lifesaver transmitter is $300 each, and the battery change each month costs $8.50. Officers are on call 24 hours a day. There is no charge for the time it takes for an officer to change the battery and check the equipment. In addition to providing funds for children with developmental disorders, Sheriff Debra Trout will also hold a fundraiser for citizens impacted by Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The Sheriff is dedicated to serving the public of Hunterdon County. Many people don't realize it takes one to four family members who act as caregivers for each individual with Alzheimer's Disease. This program helps to eliminate the fears and anxiety these families have to endure.
For more information on Project Lifesaver, contact the Sheriff's Office at (908) 788-1166 or Hunterdon County Division, the Senior Services at (908) 788-1361 or visit www.projectlifesaver.org.
Printable Project Lifesaver Pamphlet
About the 911 Cell Phone Bank
The 911 Cell Phone Bank is an initiative of The RMS Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity. It was created to provide an ongoing and readily available source of 911 cell phones and funds to meet unexpected and urgent needs of participating law enforcement and affiliated victim services agencies. Since its inception, the 911 Cell Phone Bank has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars and nearly sixty thousand cell phones for victim services organizations around the country. It is a nationwide program designed to maximize community cell phone donations. To learn more, visit www.911CellPhoneBank.org.
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