Dear Heloise: We recently updated our cell phone service and want to donate the old phones to someone in need. I would appreciate any help you could give. — Stephanie, Gunnison, Colo.
Help is here and not far away! I have printed this many times, and it's well worth doing so again. Call to Protect is run by the Wireless Foundation, a nonprofit organization.
One way donated cell phones are used is to benefit survivors of domestic violence. The phone is a lifeline when faced with an emergency situation. The refurbished cell phones can only call 911 and other nonemergency numbers such as a domestic-violence shelter.
Here's how to help: First, deactivate your phone service and erase all personal information. Go to www.wirelessfoundation.org/CallToProtect, where you'll find detailed directions for removing personal information from a cell phone by entering the manufacturer and model number. Then, mail the phone to: Call to Protect, 2555 Bishop Circle West, Dexter, MI 48130.
Include the battery and charger, if possible. The phone and mailing expenses are tax-deductible, so be sure to print off a tax receipt.
Also, start a collection box in your office or neighborhood. When you have several phones, mail them in! This would also be a perfect project for a service group. — Heloise
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-435-6473 or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column. © King Features Syndicate Inc.