The George Washington University and Metro to Hold GW+Phones=Hope Used Cell Phone Collection Drive at 15 Rail Stations

WASHINGTON, April 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dozens of George Washington University students will be collecting used cell phones in 15 of Metro's busiest stations during the morning rush hours on Wednesday, April 25.

The one day collection drive is all for a good cause. The used cell phones and other portable electronic devices, such as tablets and iPods will be recycled, and the proceeds will go to fund maternal and child mobile technology health projects in Mali, Malawi and Nepal. 

The collection day will be the conclusion of the university's GW+Phones=Hope campaign. GW announced the commitment on Oct. 6 as part of being the host of the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) Meeting that took place on its campus in March. GW has been working with the organization Hope Phones to recycle electronics.  With GW's help, Hope Phones has collected more than 10,000 electronic devices since the GW+Phones=Hope campaign began.

In addition to collecting used cell phones, GW volunteers will also be distributing information about Text4baby, the country's largest mobile health information service.  It supports moms by providing accurate, text-length health information and resources in a format that is personal and timely.  Pregnant women and new moms who text "BABY" or ("BEBE" for Spanish) to 511411 receive weekly text messages (timed to their due date or their baby's birth date) throughout pregnancy and up until baby's first birthday.

GW's School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS) has partnered with National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition to support enrollment in Text4baby. GW students have been working to promote and enroll Washington, D.C., families in the greatest need in the Text4baby service.  Just last month during the school's Day of Service, SPHHS students visited businesses in three District wards with the highest infant mortality rates in an effort to sign women up for the program.

Donated phones and other devices do not have to be in working condition, and they will all go through a process to remove any personal information stored on the device.  Accessories, such as chargers do not need to be donated with the device.  

Riders can drop off their portable electronic devices in special collection boxes staffed by volunteers wearing blue "GW+Phones=Hope" T-shirts from 7 to 9:30 a.m. at stations in D.C, Maryland and Virginia.

SOURCE George Washington University