Secure the Call phone drive coming to Sharon Church this April

Donation bin for old cell phones at Sharon Church. Photo courtesy of Sharon Church.

submitted by Sharon Church

Sharon Church, located at 19980 W Pleasant Lake Rd, will be hosting a 30-day used–cell phone drive throughout the month of April in partnership with Secure the Call, a nonprofit organization that helps provide emergency access to 911 services.

Many people don’t realize that any old cell phone — without a service plan — can still call 911 as long as it’s charged. Through this program, donated phones are repurposed and distributed to individuals who may not otherwise have access to a phone in an emergency.

“Emergencies can happen anywhere to anyone, and if someone doesn’t have reliable access to a phone, things can go from bad to worse quickly,” said Richard S., office manager at Sharon Church. “By helping people have that access to emergency services, it’s not just about saving lives — it’s also about providing the comfort of knowing that if they need help, they have a way to get it.”

This effort is especially important for senior citizens, many of whom live on fixed incomes or may not have a phone at all. At the same time, falls and other medical emergencies remain a major concern. Having access to a phone — even one used only for emergencies — can provide peace of mind for both individuals and their families.

The phone drive also helps address electronic waste. Phones that cannot be reused will be properly recycled through certified e-waste partners, helping keep harmful materials out of landfills.

The phone drive is free and open to the public. Cell phones and tablets are accepted, and a donation bin will be located in the entryway of the fellowship hall. Donations can be dropped off on Wednesday and Thursday between 8am and 3pm. Any device is accepted, regardless of age or condition. If the bin is full or your device won’t fit, you can bring it into the office, and it will be included in the return shipping package.

The church has already received several donated phones ahead of the official start of the drive and is looking forward to expanding the effort throughout April.

For questions about the drive, contact Sharon Church at SharonGMChurch@gmail.com or 734-428-0996

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.