UNIVERSITY PARK – The deadline to donate used and unwanted cell phones to benefit victims of domestic violence has been extended to May 10. The collection drive by students at the Penn State Dickinson School of Law was originally slated to end next week but after learning the Centre County Women’s Resource Center could win $1,000 if it collects 300 phones, the deadline was extended in hopes of collecting enough phones.
Shelter Alliance, a national organization that pays participating organizations for cell phones they collect, is giving away five $1,000 prizes to participants who collect at least 300 phones between April 1 and June 30. To date, the Centre County Women’s Resource Center has already collected 125, leaving them 175 shy of its goal.
Law students at the University Park campus of Penn State Dickinson School of Law began its drive April 1, and to date, have collected a number of phones, but not enough to qualify CCWRC for the prize drawing.
Generally, donated cell phones are cleared of all personal information still stored on it and distributed to victims of domestic violence, providing them with a valuable lifeline in the event of an emergency. In instances where phones cannot be re-used, they will be sent to Shelter Alliance, with the proceeds of the sale benefiting the center’s general fund.
Collection boxes are located:
• In Philipsburg at The Harbor Inn motel, located at the intersection of U.S. Route 322 and state Route 53, or at The Progress office, located at 109 N. Front St.
• At University Park in Room 007 on the basement floor of the Beam Building on Park Avenue; or on the second floor of the Ford (former Business Administration Building), located at the corner of Allen Road and Park Avenue.
Donations can also be made directly to CCRWC by dropping them off at its main office at 140 W. Nittany Ave., State College, between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
In addition to individual donations, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to participate in a mini-collection drive, gathering used cell phones from employees or members. For more information or to arrange a drop-off or pick-up of more than 25 cell phones, contact Jaime Bumbarger, student-organizer, via email at jsb221@dsl.psu.edu.