For the third year in a row a wireless company will join with a national law enforcement agency in order to help victims of domestic violence.
The partnership brings together Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). Both organizations are sponsoring a phone-donation drive, which will run through October and November.
Ernest Green, NOBLE national president, said he is looking forward to his organization partnering with the HopeLine program in trying to combat domestic violence.
"As law enforcement officers, we encounter the unfortunate effects of abuse in our communities every day," Green said. "We understand the importance of having a link to emergency services and being able to contact family in times of crisis."
Through the HopeLine program, cell phones that are no longer in use are being collected at NOBLE chapter locations across the country. Along with the phones themselves, accessories are also being collected.
Phones that can still be used will be refurbished and sold. Proceeds from the sales will go to purchasing cell phones for victims of domestic violence, which they can use for emergency situations.
Along with purchasing cell phones, money raised through the sales will be given as grants to organizations that specialize in dealing with domestic violence. Those organizations can use the funds to support both prevention and awareness of the problem.
Cell phones that cannot be reused will be recycled in an environmentally-friendly way. Along with donating the cell phones at NOBLE chapter locations, the program will accept devices at Verizon Wireless locations and by mail.
Recently the HopeLine program recognized NOBLE’s efforts by giving the organization’s Georgia chapter a Law Enforcement Partnership Award. Because of the award, Verizon Wireless donated $2,500 to the Savannah Area Family Emergency Shelter. NOBLE’s South Florida chapter has been similarly recognized by the program.