Donate Your Old Phones for Charity and the Environment
By Teresa Ambord
If you're like many people, you may have at least one outdated cell phone sitting around in a drawer somewhere. It seems useless to you, yet you don't throw it out. Did you know that by donating your old phone, you not only help the environment by recycling, but also provide funds for charitable organizations? Many retailers such as Staples will accept donations of your old phone. But there are also some programs you can contact directly to make your donation.
Caution: Before you donate, be sure to remove all your personal information from the phone, and check to be certain that your service is disconnected.
Red Cross
Recently the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services Fund (which provides support to U.S. Armed Forces and their families everywhere) received nearly $400,000 through the fundraising efforts of Nextel, which included the DONATE A PHONE program. Through this program, each phone that is recycled nets an average cash contribution of about $1.50 to support the American Red Cross. The amount per phone may seem small, but judging by the total, it adds up nicely.
If you have a Sprint Nextel account, you can participate in the DONATE A PHONE program if you wish. The amount of the donation depends on the price you paid for the phone, and how long you have owned it. Sprint Nextel will send you a tax certificate to substantiate your contribution. Click on the link below to find out details.
Alternatively, you can participate in Sprint Nextel's Buyback program, which helps the environment by recycling old phones.
Welcome Home!
Here's a program which benefits the Guard and Reserves who participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. "Welcome Home" receives old cell phones and recycles them to raise funds for these service people, through a group called EUSA, Employers United for a Stronger America. If your employer is a EUSA member, you should follow instructions available through your company. But individuals not associated with EUSA can also donate by sending their old phones to this address:
Recycle & Reward
c/o Veterans Advantage
Source Code: GRN
2555 Bishop Circle West
Dexter, MI 48130
Send your phone in a padded envelope to protect it. Through the Welcome Home program, the average resale proceeds is $5 per refurbished phone. This money purchases Veterans Advantage Cards which are given to demobilized Guard and Reserve members, to recognize their sacrifice and service.
To find a phone donation program in your area, click on this link:
You can also log onto Phones 4 Charity below to donate your phones and to find out how to set up a phone drive. The website includes banners you can print to advertise your phone drive.