Cell Phone Collection and Drive FAQs
FAQ’s
What is Calling an End to Youth Homelessness About?
November is now officially National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, thanks to the support of Virgin Mobile and the Re*Generation
Campaign. “Calling An End To Youth Homelessness” is our StandUp For Kids national campaign to support this Congressional effort,
which we hope will spread the word about homeless and runaway youth and the fact that 13 of these kids die on the streets of this
country every day! We also hope to raise much needed funds for our programs so that we can continue to be on the streets looking
for kids who need our help. Beginning on November 1st, 2007, we will kick off the campaign by asking people to donate cell phones
and also hold cell phone drives. Cell phone collections can be done at anytime throughout the year, but our goal for the month of
November alone is to collect at least 390 phones in each city that we have a chapter. November’s goal represents the number of
kids who will die on the streets during the month of November without some intervention from those who care. Help StandUp For
Kids call an end to youth homelessness by holding a cell phone drive in your city today!
What kind of phones should I collect? What does StandUp For Kids do with the cell phones they collect?
StandUp For Kids works with a recycling partner, Recellular, to refurbish or recycle the cell phones, as well as phone batteries,
chargers and cell phone accessories. Newer cell phones that are able to be refurbished will net the most value to our cause and are
therefore encouraged. After refurbishing, used cell phones that have an economic value will be reused in markets utilizing
compatible wireless technologies such as North and South America. Reuse reduces the depletion of our Earth's finite resources.
Older used cell phones that cannot be reused, and thus do not have any economic value, are recycled by Recellular in accordance
with state and federal EPA guidelines. Recellular meets stringent recycling requirements with respect to the disposal of this
material. Proceeds from the resale of these used cell phones enables StandUp For Kids to continually expand its national fundraising
efforts and also provide Street Kids a means of obtaining an inexpensive cellular phone to look for jobs.
Who can do a cell phone drive? Cell phone collections can be done individually, or in mass scale by conducting a Cell Phone Drive!
We love any donations, big or small (minimum of 10 phones), but just think of the many places you could conduct a drive, spread
the word, and increase collections – schools, universities, offices, churches, local businesses, upcoming events, holidays, kid
groups/team events & projects, etc.
How do I promote the cell phone drive? Inside your promo kit you will find the following items: Collection Box Flyer #1, Collection
Box Flyer #2, a Poster and a Cell Phone Solicitation Letter. The Poster and the Letter are customizable for your class, group or
organization.
How do I obtain and use cell phone collection bins? The use of collection bins to assist your fundraising efforts can be very
effective if done properly, professionally and inexpensively. Here are a few pointers to help you get started:
STEP #1:
We recommend purchasing $5 to $10 plastic 10-gallon non-clear bins (as shown here) from your neighborhood Wal-Mart, Target or
similar retail store. These bins are more durable and easier to transport than cardboard boxes.
STEP #2:
Carefully cut a rectangular slot wide enough for a phone to be inserted but small enough to discourage people
from reaching in and trying to remove phones. (as shown in photo above). NOTE: The rectangular shaped slot has
been proven to reduce the amount of trash people attempt to place in the bin. That is, circle shaped holes remind
people of garbage cans.
STEP #3:
Tape Collection Box Flyer #1 to the top of the bin. Be careful not to cover the slot opening. Tape Collection Box
Flyer #2 to the front of the bin.
STEP #4: Optional
To reduce the chance of theft two small holes can be drilled through the plastic lid and into the bin base. Small
zip ties or even a small travel padlock will ensure the bin remains closed at all times while on display.
Who do I contact when my bin gets full? How do I ship the phones? Once you have collected at least 10 cell
phones (the cost of shipping prevents shipment of less than 10 cell phones) fill out the “Cell Shipment Request”
form http://www.standupforkids.org/callinganendpromokit.htm, save a copy, and send it to
cell@standupforkids.org with the email subject line – CELL SHIPMENT REQUEST to ensure your shipment label is
sent and tracked properly. A pre-paid shipment label will then be sent to you via email. Print out and affix this
label onto your shipment box when you mail it out. There is no cost for you to for this shipment. It's that simple!
Can people get any of my personal information from my phone? All personal data will be erased by Recellular
prior to recycling, however, donors who would like to personally erase their data from their old cell phone prior to
donation, can do so by going to http://www.recellular.com/recycling/data_eraser/default.asp and entering their
phone make & model to get data-erase instructions.