Sprint Project Connect Generates Nearly $600,000 for Charity

“Sprint Project Connect continues to collect record numbers of used wireless phones each month," Len Lauer, president, PCS Division of Sprint, says. "Sprint has chosen to support people with disabilities through community outreach and charitable giving. Sprint Project Connect allows people across the nation to join in the cause by donating their used wireless phones at any Sprint Store in America."

Sprint Project Connect was the first nationwide campaign in support of the Wireless Foundation's Donate a Phone Return Outreach Initiative -- a program designed to help wireless carriers raise funds for their charity of choice through the collection of used wireless phones. In addition, Sprint Project Connect serves an important environmental need, as nearly 25 percent of all phones collected in the first year of the program were recycled.

Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin served as the national spokesperson for Sprint Project Connect in 2002. She became deaf at the age of 18 months due to a childhood illness. However, that has not prevented her from living a full life and becoming a successful actress.

"It was an honor to partner with Sprint in the initial development and rollout of this campaign, and I'm delighted it has raised significant funds in such a short time," Matlin says. "The more resources we can provide to organizations like Easter Seals and the N.O.D., the more opportunities we open up for people with disabilities."

Sprint Project Connect collection boxes can be found at every Sprint Store and select Easter Seals locations across America and in Puerto Rico. All makes and models of phones are accepted.

To learn more about Sprint Project Connect, please visit www.sprintpcs.com/projectconnect.