Abuse, for many families, means no escape. They may feel trapped without help. “October is domestic violence awareness month and we (FCCLA members) felt this was a good time to kick off our project” said project leader Cristian Guerrero. “We have found a way that we would like to help victims of domestic violence and the environment at the same time by recycling old cell phones.” Cell phones give victims a sense of security - just knowing that they can call 9-1-1 for help if they need it. Many of us today have an old cell phone that we are not using, stuck in a box or a drawer; we would like to tell you how that old phone can save a life and be recycled. The cell phones that we collect will be distributed in several ways. The phones that currently work and have chargers with them will be donated to our local Dove Project and will be for local and area victims to call 9-1-1 whenever they need them. The Phones that either do not have chargers or we are unsure if they work will go to a shelter facility in Waco, called the Family Abuse Center, where they will be able to locate extra parts and test the phones to see if they are actually broken or can be repaired. The phones that are repaired will be sent to shelters around the country to provide that little bit of extra security for victims. Phones that are considered broken will be shipped to Miramar, Florida where they will be completely taken apart and recycled. Cell phones have lots of recyclable parts in them from glass, plastics, and metal. Not to mention that the batteries in them are bio-hazardous and should be disposed of properly. We have placed boxes to collect the cell phones outside the office here and we also have drop off locations at the courthouse, library, elementary office, and the local Dove Project. Phones, and any of their accessories, should be placed in a ziplock bag and placed in the box. There are baggies located with each drop off box. We will be collecting phones through the end of the month and hope that you help by bringing in your old phones to recycle something that could save a life. Abuse, for many families, means no escape. They may feel trapped without help. “October is domestic violence awareness month and we (FCCLA members) felt this was a good time to kick off our project” said project leader Cristian Guerrero. “We have found a way that we would like to help victims of domestic violence and the environment at the same time by recycling old cell phones.” Cell phones give victims a sense of security - just knowing that they can call 9-1-1 for help if they need it. Many of us today have an old cell phone that we are not using, stuck in a box or a drawer; we would like to tell you how that old phone can save a life and be recycled. The cell phones that we collect will be distributed in several ways. The phones that currently work and have chargers with them will be donated to our local Dove Project and will be for local and area victims to call 9-1-1 whenever they need them. The Phones that either do not have chargers or we are unsure if they work will go to a shelter facility in Waco, called the Family Abuse Center, where they will be able to locate extra parts and test the phones to see if they are actually broken or can be repaired. The phones that are repaired will be sent to shelters around the country to provide that little bit of extra security for victims. Phones that are considered broken will be shipped to Miramar, Florida where they will be completely taken apart and recycled. Cell phones have lots of recyclable parts in them from glass, plastics, and metal. Not to mention that the batteries in them are bio-hazardous and should be disposed of properly. We have placed boxes to collect the cell phones outside the office here and we also have drop off locations at the courthouse, library, elementary office, and the local Dove Project. Phones, and any of their accessories, should be placed in a ziplock bag and placed in the box. There are baggies located with each drop off box. We will be collecting phones through the end of the month and hope that you help by bringing in your old phones to recycle something that could save a life.