A Win-Win Fundraiser: Nonprofit To Collect Used Cell Phones
Compassionate Cooks is using a unique program to raise much-needed funds on behalf of their nonprofit organization, to support battered women’s programs, and to help the environment – all at the same time
Oakland, CA (PRWEB) May 11, 2005 -- Beginning May 12, volunteers of
Oakland-based nonprofit Compassionate Cooks (www.compassionatecooks.org) will be collecting used cell
phones in order to raise money for their organization, whose mission is to
empower people to make informed food choices and take control of their own
health. What thrills them even more is that they will be helping the environment
as well as supporting low-income individuals and domestic abuse victims at the
same time.
“This is an excellent opportunity for Compassionate Cooks to
raise much-needed funds at no cost to us,” explained Colleen Patrick-Goudreau,
founder and director. “Most people who use cell phones have one or two older
ones lying around in a drawer. Those phones, though worthless to the owner, are
valuable to us – and to the people who really need them.”
Compassionate
Cooks is working with Louisville-based ECO-CELL, a company that pays
organizations for collecting used cell phones, batteries and accessories.
Through ECO-Cell’s innovative program, 80% of the phones collected will
be reused by low-income users in Latin America or by selected local
organizations, such as Battered Women’s Programs, for emergency use (911 calls).
All unusable cell phones and accessories are recycled under strict EPA
guidelines by certified recyclers.
Compassionate Cooks’ collection effort
will also have a positive impact on the local environment. By reducing the
quantity of these cell phones and their accessories, which end up in the local
landfill, it keeps the toxic materials they contain (i.e. arsenic, cadmium,
lead, zinc) from ending up in the waste stream.
To donate cell phones and
accessories, simply mail them to Compassionate Cooks P.O. Box 18512 Oakland, CA
94619. If contact information is included, Compassionate Cooks will send you a
receipt for your tax-deductible donation.
Compassionate Cooks (www.compassionatecooks.org) is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to empowering people to make informed food choices and to debunking
myths about vegetarianism through cooking classes, nutrition workshops,
supermarket tours, and a cooking DVD. Compassionate Cooks gives people the tools
and resources they need to prevent disease, optimize their health, and create
new habits that benefit the earth and all its inhabitants.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/5/prweb239161.htm