is top priority
after funding cut
Old cellular phones raise
money for women’s group
Keeping hot line open
is top priority
after funding cut
By darlene diebold
Staff Writer
Hazlet — It all began with 10 cellular telephones.
180, Turning Lives Around, is collecting old, unused cellular telephones, and is receiving $5 for each phone from Verizon Wireless. The women’s and children’s advocacy group is working with the telephone company in an effort to raise needed funds for its toll-free hot lines. Verizon will donate up to $2,500.
Ginger Schwankert, the nonprofit organization’s toll-free hotline coordinator, said at a July 23 press conference at the Verizon store, West Long Branch, the program is in dire need of funds.
Schwankert has run the hot line for 11 years.
The fact that $60,000 previously earmarked for the hot-line program was cut from this year’s state budget forced the organization to raise the lost money by alternative methods.
"Our toll-free hot lines are our lifelines," Schwankert said.
"Without them, our agency would not have been able to answer 6,249 calls in fiscal year 2002."
The hot line answers calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
In order to raise funds, Verizon has agreed to accept old phones and equipment through the end of August.
The phone company will donate $5 to the organization for each received telephone. An additional $5 will be donated to the organization for every person who signs up for one of Verizon’s wireless calling plans.
"All of those $5 contributions will add up," Schwankert said.
Any cellular phone, battery and charger can be dropped off at Verizon Wireless Communications stores located at 3710 Route 9 south in Freehold, 55 Route 9 south in Manalapan, 310 Route 36 east in West Long Branch and at the store in the Monmouth Mall in Eatontown.
"Many of us have old cell phones, or know of people who have obsolete phones they no longer use," said Anna Diaz-White, executive director of 180, Turning Lives Around.
"Verizon Wireless donations will support our toll-free hot lines, which are lifelines for the people who need our services. We applaud Verizon Wireless and hope our community responds to this great program."
Calls to the hot lines are up 20 percent over the past year, Schwankert said.
"It’s amazing how many of us take for granted our phones or the ability to make a phone call," said Lori Sadwith, organization director of development.
"But imagine you are a woman who needs to flee from her house because you are scared for your life. You have to pack up children, and you want to call for help. Who do you call? These women call 180, and phones become the front lines of communication," she said.
For years Verizon has offered this type of program, which it calls Hopeline. The company has donated or recycled nearly 50,000 phones in the New York metropolitan area through human services and law enforcement agencies. All of the phones are refurbished, recycled or sold.
David Samberg, Verizon’s community affairs director, said the firm is proud of the amount of money it has raised.
"We are always looking for ways to reach out and help in the community. This program works very well with our Hope-line program, that we felt we needed to do this. They had a need and we knew that we would be able to help. I am happy that our company could help 180," Samberg said.
To reach the organization’s hot line, call 1-888-843-9262.
The group’s sexual assault hot line number is 1-800-264-RAPE.