The Washington Trust Co., which collected used cell phones at its branch offices during October, recently delivered the cell phones to the Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County (DVRCSC). This year, The Washington Trust Co. was able to deliver more than 20 boxes, each containing hundreds of cell phones.
The DVRCSC will reprogram the phones for 911 calls and then distribute them to victims of domestic violence. Other cell phones will be sent to an organization that recycles electronics, or will be used as part of a fundraiser for the center. Since 2001, when the cell phone recycling and fundraising program began, The Washington Trust Co. has contributed over $15,000 in cell phone donations; this year’s collection alone will add another $2,000 in contributions.
“It is a small way that community members can make a big impact on a critical social problem,” said Elizabeth B. Eckel, senior vice president of marketing of Washington Trust and member of the DVRCSC advisory board. •
