HURRICANE KATRINA - "EMERGENCY FEAR RELIEF" EFFORT MOBILIZED

 ~ USED CELL PHONE COLLECTION at UNION STATION ~

 

Phones For Life To Program and Distribute Used Cell Phones for Free "9-1-1" Emergency Service Dialing to Gulf Coast Seniors Impacted by Katrina 

 

Phones for Life will collect used cell phones at Union Station to provide Emergency Fear Relief for Gulf Coast senior citizens in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Used cell phones can be dropped off by caring commuters and citizens at the Union Station Information Booth, 800 N. Alameda St, Los Angeles on Thursday September 1 and Friday September 2, in the morning 6:30 am-9:00 am and in the evening 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Phones For Life representatives will be recognizable wearing black Phones For Life polo-shirts.  

 

Phones For Life used cell phones are programmed for one-button, free, emergency  "9-1-1" emergency access calls and will be distributed to senior citizens in affected Gulf Coast Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Instructions on phone use are provided in English, Spanish and French. Cash donations during this Emergency Fear Relief phone drive will be applied to purchase additional used cell phones.

 

"We know that senior citizens may feel particularly fearful, isolated and at risk during the long and arduous recovery from Katrina," states Emergency Medicine Doctor Dee M L'Archeveque MD FACEP, CEO and Founder Of Phones For Life.  "As essential land phone systems, electric utilities and emergency services are restored, Phones For Life cell phones will give seniors an immediate sense of security in the event of a safety or medical emergency. "Seniors living in more rural areas are likely to experience longer delays in utility restorations. Just knowing they'll have immediate access to "9-1-1" service will eliminate some of their worries," added Dr. L'Archeveque,  "and we hope that Phones For Life Gulf Coast Seniors will have a greater sense of safety as they return to their homes and community." Dr. L L'Archeveque is available for comment in Los Angeles.

 

Phones For Life, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization serving senior citizens 65 years and older, mainly retirees who live alone and are dependent on social security or have limited economic resources. Phones For Life cell phones provides free emergency 911 service to qualified applicants. For information about Phones For Life, or to donate phones or funds, visit www.phones4life.org.

 

WHO:             Phones for Life Collects Used Cell Phones for Gulf Coast Senior Citizens

WHAT:            Emergency Fear Relief after Hurricane Katrina

WHERE:        Union Station information Booth

                        800 N. Alameda St. (between US101 and Cesar E. Chavez Avenue)\

                        Los Angeles California

WHEN:           Thursday September 1, 2005 and Friday September 2, 2005

            6:30 am -9:00 am and 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm