TRUMBULL CO. BUSINESSES Cell-phone collection benefits abuse shelter

A Miramar, Fla., company takes the phones and gives a donation to the shelter.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The Downtown Warren Business Association's latest community service project is to benefit Someplace Safe Inc., a domestic-violence shelter.
The association is collecting cellular phones at many of its member businesses through August.
Scott Fullerton, vice president of the association, said the phones may be dropped off at the Hippodrome, Pretty Petals Flower Shop, Saratoga Restaurant, Mocha House, Little Johnny's, Gene's Jewelers, Queen of Hearts, Comfort Inn or Mobile Meals.
"With the technology now, we just give the phones to Someplace Safe, who gives them to a company," Fullerton said. "Now the company just takes the cell phones and gives them [Someplace Safe] the cash."
Fullerton, who is general manager of Little Johnny's, said this marks the first time the 33-member association has collected cell phones for the domestic violence shelter. But at last year's Christmas mixer, members donated toys for children at the shelter.
"We try to do some kind of public service project every other month," he said.
Other aid projects
Earlier this year, the business association participated in a cleanup of the area around the Warren Community Amphitheater and Courthouse Square, installing new flower boxes through much of the downtown area.
Danette Palmer, Someplace Safe's fundraising/development specialist, said any cell phones are acceptable, regardless of age. "We don't need the chargers or the cases that go with them," Palmer said.
Someplace Safe delivers the phones to the Shelter Alliance of Miramar, Fla., which then makes a contribution to the shelter.
Through its Good Corporate Neighbor program, the shelter has been collecting cell phones since June 21 at Trumbull County library branches, Greater Warren Community Federal Credit Union's two Warren locations, Burger King on Main Street and Belleria Pizzeria, North Main Street, Girard. That collection runs through Aug. 16.
The shelter keeps a portion of the phones donated for domestic violence victims to call 911.
The business association meets at 8 a.m. every Tuesday on the second floor of the Hippodrome, High Street.