Old cell phones
could be a lifesaver

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Nov. 9, 2003
Leslie Payne is asking for discarded cell phones.
Old cell phones can be dropped off at branches of Great Southern National Bank and Union Planters Bank in Meridian. They also can be left at the Care Lodge office, 1207 19th Ave., during business hours.
Care Lodge provides a crisis hotline, an emergency shelter, case management, counseling, a children's program and victims advocacy services for victims of family violence.
It also has a family violence intervention program for abusers.
Payne said the old cell phones are refurbished by Cingular Wireless and programmed so that they can be used to make emergency phone calls by Care Lodge clients.
She said she has heard several testimonials from Care Lodge clients who where thankful to have the cell phones when their safety mattered most.
Payne has had to rely on one of the refurbished cell phones herself.