Effingham County Victim Witness Assistance Program Inc. announces another special emphasis on its cell phone fundraising program. Proceeds from the collection efforts will be applied to fund the services provided to victims of personal injury crime throughout the community.

“Donating a used, unwanted cell phone allows community members to donate to an important cause without reaching into their wallets,” said Glenda King, executive director of Effingham County Victim Witness. “With the hundreds of used cell phones sitting idly in our community, the fundraising potential is almost limitless.”

Effingham County Victim Witness Assistance Program has partnered with Shelter Alliance (www.shelteralliance.net), a Miramar, Fla., firm that specializes in the logistics and underwriting of fundraising programs through the collection and responsible recycling of used cellular phones.  Shelter Alliance currently works with over 2,000 social service organizations in 50 states and has contributed over $5 million to participating organizations.  

ECVWAP has been challenged again by Shelter Alliance to be entered into a drawing for a $1,000 donation for the agency for every 300 phones received by Nov. 30. That means ECVWAP could be entered more than once. This will be over and above the funds we receive for the actual phones.  The last cell phone drive netted the agency $1,038.

Cell phone collection “drop boxes” are currently established at the following locations in the community:
United Way Service Center—Rincon
Teach Right store—Rincon
Manna House—Rincon    
Family and Children Services—Springfield
Victim Witness—Springfield

For more information, call King at 754-7460.