Long suspected of causing brain cancer, a recent study in mice suggests cell phones use may actually help fight against the effects of Alzheimer's Disease.

I would like to begin by thanking each and every participating agency that is a partner of the 911 Cell Phone Bank. Congratulations, to all of you. We appreciate all of your hard work throughout the entire year of 2009. With our sincere gratitude extended to each and every one of you, let it be known, without your efforts we could not have serviced all of our requests for the emergency phones that come in daily. Nor could we have shipped out the enormous number (literally thousands) of emergency phones that go out to your clients on a monthly basis. Again we thank you and the recipients thank you as well.

Our entire team at the 911 Cell Phone Bank want to especially recognize our 2009 Fourth Quarter Challenge Winners that did an outstanding job with their end of the year wrap up, which resulted in extra perks. They did a super job!!!

 Level 1 – $25 Gift Card Winners are: RSVP of St. Joseph County – IN, Johnson County Senior Services – IN, Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office – NY, Safe Harbors of the Finger Lakes – NY, Kendall County Triad – IL.

 Level 2 – $100 Gift Card Winners are: Prince Georges County Office of the Sheriff – MD, Livonia Police Department – MI, Westminster Police Department – MD.

 Grand Prize $500 Gift Card Winner is: Osceola County Sheriff’s Office – FL

Have you checked with the purchasing department of your local governmental agencies, be it city, county, law enforcement, or whatever? If not, you might be missing out on an opportunity to potentially claim an ongoing, steady supply of cell phones. With our processing procedures designed to assure the sender of the confidentiality of any and all information which might be on a phone coming into the program, we can now offer you written assurances that everything possible will be done to destroy all prior information on phones coming into our facilities. Feel free to speak to your customer service representative at the 911 Cell Phone Bank for the safeguards which can be put into place to assure this confidentiality. It worked for me – it can also work for you.

A recent report from independent research firm, ABI Research, shows a changing attitude in cell phone recycling. A closer look reveals that there’s a great opportunity for non-profit organizations to build their cell phone donation programs.

Here are some highlights from the report.

38 % of respondents have recycled a cell phone and nearly 70% of those said they had donated their old cell phones to charity. Of those who had not recycled, 98% were prepared to recycle in return for some compensation. According to the report a tax deduction was considered a form of “compensation”. Do you offer a donation receipt? If not your donors can download a 911 Cell Phone Bank receipt from our website.

“The message is clear,” comments ABI Research industry analyst Michael Morgan. “Many consumers in the US are prepared to help the environment by recycling their old handsets, but only if there is a financial incentive to do so. Virtue is not seen as its own reward in this case.” Organizations asking for cell phone donations should take these emerging attitudes into consideration.

Women are slightly more likely than men to recycle and consumers under 40 years of age are significantly less likely to do so than those over 40. Although the younger demographic upgrades their cell phones more often, they are less likely to recycle, so partnerships with colleges and universities may not be as fruitful as you originally anticipate.

Most carriers have some recycling programs in place. For instance, US Cellular supports the 911 Cell Phone Bank and Sprint aims eventually to recycle 90% of the handsets it sells. Efforts by carriers are a two edged sword for organizations like ours. Their marketing will increase recycling awareness but there is a chance this awareness will overshadow our efforts as a group. The best solution is to join forces with carriers and retailers in your local area. Most have the flexibility to support their communities without permission from corporate.

The fact remains that consistent communication with your community is the key to continued support and increased cell phone donations. Reminding the public of the value of your cell phone program in the community will help you to keep the cell phones coming as the public’s attitude changes.

For ideas on how to improve your collections or tools that can help please contact your 911 Cell Phone Bank representative.

From a shelter comes the following (different) application for the usage of a 911 emergency use cell phone:
“I just wanted to share one of the uses that we have for the wonderful 911 emergency cell phones, here at A Safe Place. I placed one of the phones in the staff bathroom, and another downstairs in our Art Therapy lounge. Both of these places are isolated, and I and my staff felt that this would help in an emergency situation. Thankfully we have not had to use them, but we know that they are there if we need them. Thank you again for the great job and wonderful service that you provide.
Sincerely, Brenda Smelser, Manager”

I’d bet not too many of our clients have ever considered placing a phone within their offices as a deterrant to a potential crime.  Thanks, Brenda, for sharing this information with all of us

Deputy Pam Cannon with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office has been participating in the 911 Cell Phone Bank program for almost a year. Her original idea was to have this program in place to help with her “domestic violence victims”.

During one of their home deliveries for Meals on Wheels it was brought to her attention that the person she was visiting/delivering a meal to was clutching onto her home “land-line” phone. After a brief conversation with this client, Pam learned that the phone was her link to safety and was her security. This particular client and many others throughout the county/state are using Life Line. This is a great program and a huge number of seniors/elderly citizens are utilizing this program all across the United States. By all means, please inform your clients and anybody you know who uses Life Line, that in the event they are without electricity, this will not be of any value to them if they are depending on a cordless phone. You must have power in order for your “cordless phone” to work. There are numerous people that are not aware of this and are relying solely on “Life Line”.

After this incident, Deputy Cannon asked the Meals on Wheels drivers carry around a sign-up sheet with them . In the mist of their deliveries the driver will simply ask the clients if they are in need of an emergency 911 phone and if so, they are given one at no cost and it is delivered with their meal…Safety a la Carte’…what a treat!

Recently the National Park Technology Center’s High School Criminal Justice class collected cell phones for the Garland County Sheriff’s Department.  The sheriff’s department is participating in collecting pre-owned cell phones for the 911 Cell Phone Bank.  Through this program they are able to help provide cell phones to senior citizens and victims of domestic violence who may need quick access to the 911 system, but do not have the funds to purchase and maintain a cell phone on their own.  The students collected 46 cell phones.  Paula Fort, NPTC instructor, stated, “Each year, our class selects a community service project.  This group chose a cause that fits with the criminal justice program and serves the community, as well.” 

Included in the picture are: Lt. James Martin with the Garland County Sheriff’s Department and students Neva Randel and Skyler Kimmerly from the NPTC HS Criminal Justice program.

Luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue today started selling the Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness, a fashion phone with a unique see-through screen, for $990.

Google is talking with T-Mobile about the possibility of selling the Nexus One, its upcoming smartphone, at a discounted price for consumers that sign up for the carrier's service.