For the third year in a row a wireless company will join with a national law
enforcement agency in order to help victims of domestic violence.
The partnership brings together Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program
and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). Both
organizations are sponsoring a phone-donation drive, which will run through
October and November.
Ernest Green, NOBLE national president, said he is looking forward to his
organization partnering with the HopeLine program in trying to combat domestic
violence.
"As law enforcement officers, we encounter the unfortunate effects of abuse
in our communities every day," Green said. "We understand the importance of
having a link to emergency services and being able to contact family in times of
crisis."
Through the HopeLine program, cell phones that are no longer in use are being
collected at NOBLE chapter locations across the country. Along with the phones
themselves, accessories are also being collected.
Phones that can still be used will be refurbished and sold. Proceeds from the
sales will go to purchasing cell phones for victims of domestic violence, which
they can use for emergency situations.
Along with purchasing cell phones, money raised through the sales will be
given as grants to organizations that specialize in dealing with domestic
violence. Those organizations can use the funds to support both prevention and
awareness of the problem.
Cell phones that cannot be reused will be recycled in an
environmentally-friendly way. Along with donating the cell phones at NOBLE
chapter locations, the program will accept devices at Verizon Wireless locations
and by mail.
Recently the HopeLine program recognized NOBLE’s efforts by giving the organization’s Georgia chapter a Law Enforcement
Partnership Award. Because of the award, Verizon Wireless donated $2,500 to the
Savannah Area Family Emergency Shelter. NOBLE’s South Florida chapter has been
similarly recognized by the program.
