2009-02-05

Triad needs used cell phones for seniors

Contributed

Participants in Bandera County Triad would like to thank area residents and businesses for donating their used cell phones. Members of the community donated over 160 cell phones after partnering with the 9-1-1 Cell Phone Bank about a year ago. Bandera County Triad wants to increase donations and regenerate enthusiasm for this program.

In an on-going effort, Triad collects used cell phones and ships them to the 9-1-1 Cell Phone Bank for processing.

This allows Triad to build a bank of free emergency phones and funds for seniors in need.

Residents and businesses are asked to drop off used cell phones at Bandera County Sheriff’s Office, 515 12th Street; the Bandera Electric Cooperative on Highway 16 North; or the Silver Sage Corral Senior Activity Center, 803 Bandera Boulevard.

For more information on the program, contact Carey Reed at 830- 796-8343.

According to Sheriff Weldon Tucker, the program is assisting area residents.

“We gave a lady an emergency cell phone when she had to drive back and forth to see her husband in the hospital,” he said. “She was so thankful for the phone because it made her feel safer driving by herself at night.

Tucker continued, “We want to bring an awareness to the community that those useless old cell phones tucked away in a drawer can play a big part in making a citizen feel safe and enabling someone in trouble to get the help they need.”

James Mosieur, director of the 9-1-1 Cell Phone Bank, said law enforcement agencies around the country are signing up to participate in the 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.”

The 9-1-1 Cell Phone Bank, an initiative of The RMS Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity, was created to provide an ongoing and readily available source of 9-1-1 cell phones and funds to meet unexpected and urgent needs of participating law enforcement and affiliated victim services agencies. Since its inception, the 9-1-1 Cell Phone Bank has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars and nearly 50,000 cell phones for victim services organizations across the country.

To learn more, visit www.911CellPhoneBank.org.
Triad is a partnership of three organizations – law enforcement, senior citizens and community groups. By promoting senior safety, Triad reduces the unwarranted fear of crime that seniors often experience.