Used cell phone drive successful

A used cell phone donation drive by the Department of Public Safety and Saluki Patrol last month was a success.

The University's police department and its parking division are participating in a program that refurbishes the used phones and resells them. All proceeds go to Special Olympics, which receives a minimum of $1 per phone, although some models bring in more than $100. On average, Special Olympics receives $9 per recycled cell phone.

Fans who attended the Dec. 31 men's basketball game against Drake were able to donate a used cell phone and receive a coupon redeemable for a free ticket in the upper bowl bleachers to a future Saluki men's basketball game.

The promotion garnered an addition 52 cell phones that will be added to the collection. SIUC police and the parking division have been collecting cell phones since May, and now have more than 100 phones in three boxes. There are still a few weeks remaining in the program which runs through the end of the month.

"It's a tremendous response by people and I hope they feel it was a win-win situation,” Public Safety Director Todd D. Sigler said. "They received a complimentary ticket to a future game and we received a phone which will translate into economic resources for Special Olympics.”

The annual Southern/Area 15 Special Olympics is set for April 27 at McAndrew Stadium. Southern Special Olympics serves athletes in Alexander, Franklin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, Union and Williamson counties.

Drop-off points for cell phones are the police department, located in Washington Square Building A, or the parking division, in Washington Square Building B. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 193 is also helping with the charity drive. For more information, call the police department at 618/453-3771, or the parking division at 618/453-5369.