Motorola, Illinois Recycling Association and City of Chicago to Collect Used Wireless Phones

Motorola is a co-founder of the Donate a Phone Call to Protect campaign, which collects wireless phones that are no longer being used by consumers. Founded in 1999 by the Wireless Foundation, Motorola and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), Donate a Phone is an extension of the Call to Protect Program, a national education and philanthropic initiative aimed at combating domestic violence.

Through the wireless industry's Call to Protect program, victims of domestic violence receive donated wireless phones and free emergency airtime. Many Call to Protect wireless phones are refurbished and pre-programmed for dialing 9-1-1 and one non-emergency number to enable a victim to summon help with the push of a button. Additional phones collected for the Call to Protect program are sold with the proceeds used to provide funding for domestic violence prevention. The program aims to assist victims in the transition from a life of fear to a feeling of protection 24 hours a day.

The Donate a Phone Call to Protect campaign is designed to collect as many phones as necessary to meet the needs of victims of abuse in the United States. In the hands of domestic violence victims, wireless phones can be a lifeline, enabling victims to call for immediate assistance when they feel threatened. For a victim of abuse, having a wireless phone can mean the difference between safety and harm, and between the start of a better life or continued physical and psychological harm.

Individuals who are not planning to attend the Marathon, but have a phone they wish to donate, may mail used wireless phones and any available chargers or batteries to: Donate A Phone, 2555 Bishop Circle West, Dexter, MI 48130.

A tax receipt for your donation may be obtained at www.calltoprotect.org .

The Chicago Marathon Call to Protect event is one of hundreds being held across the country in observance of America Recycles Day. November 15, millions of people will learn about recycling and will commit to increasing their recycling activities and to purchasing more products made from recycled materials on the Seventh Annual America Recycles Day (ARD). Last year, nearly one million Americans took the ARD pledge. ARD Pledge cards will be available at the phone collection booth at the Chicago Marathon.