Win-Win Fundrasier: Oakland Nonprofit Collects Used Cell Phones

Contact: Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

Compassionate Cooks

(510) 531-2665

colleen [at] compassionatecooks.org

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A Win-Win Fundraiser: Nonprofit To Collect Used Cell Phones
Compassionate Cooks is using a unique program to raise much-needed funds on behalf of their nonprofit organization, to support battered women’s programs, and to help the environment – all at the same time

OAKLAND CA – May 22, 2005 - Beginning May 22, volunteers of Oakland-based nonprofit Compassionate Cooks (http://www.compassionatecooks.org) will be collecting used cell phones in order to raise money for their organization, whose mission is to empower people to make informed food choices and take control of their own health. What thrills them even more is that they will be helping the environment as well as supporting low-income individuals and domestic abuse victims at the same time.

“This is an excellent opportunity for Compassionate Cooks to raise much-needed funds at no cost to us,” explained Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, founder and director. “Most people who use cell phones have one or two older ones lying around in a drawer. Those phones, though worthless to the owner, are valuable to us – and to the people who really need them.”

Compassionate Cooks is working with Louisville-based ECO-CELL, a company that pays organizations for collecting used cell phones, batteries and accessories.

Through ECO-Cell’s innovative program, 80% of the phones collected will be reused by low-income users in Latin America or by selected local organizations, such as Battered Women’s Programs, for emergency use (911 calls). All unusable cell phones and accessories are recycled under strict EPA guidelines by certified recyclers.

Compassionate Cooks’ collection effort will also have a positive impact on the local environment. By reducing the quantity of these cell phones and their accessories, which end up in the local landfill, it keeps the toxic materials they contain (i.e. arsenic, cadmium, lead, zinc) from ending up in the waste stream.

To donate cell phones and accessories, simply mail them to Compassionate Cooks P.O. Box 18512 Oakland, CA 94619. If contact information is included, Compassionate Cooks will send you a receipt for your tax-deductible donation.

COMPASSIONATE COOKS (http://www.compassionatecooks.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people to make informed food choices and to debunking myths about vegetarianism through cooking classes, nutrition workshops, supermarket tours, and a cooking DVD. Compassionate Cooks gives people the tools and resources they need to prevent disease, optimize their health, and create new habits that benefit the earth and all its inhabitants.


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