National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence

Wireless Foundation's CALL to PROTECTR Program Donates $1.7 Million to Nation's Leading Domestic Violence Prevention Groups

Contact: Heather Black, 202/736-3675
Lisa Lederer, 202/371-1999

October 21 , 2003

WASHINGTON –– The Wireless Foundation today announced an unprecedented $1.7 million donation to the nation's leading domestic violence service and prevention organizations. The grants are a result of the tremendous success of the national Donate A Phone campaign. To date, consumers have donated more than 2 million used wireless phones to the campaign, with the majority donated to help support people affected by domestic violence. The grants were made to the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF), the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) and the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV). These organizations will use the funds to provide services to families who are experiencing abuse, and to support prevention and awareness programs to protect future generations from family violence.

This donation builds on a long-term commitment by the Wireless Foundation and the wireless industry to help stop domestic violence. The Foundation's highly successful CALL to PROTECT program - founded in 1996 by the Foundation, Motorola, and NCADV - has provided tens of thousands of free wireless telephones with airtime donated by wireless carriers to domestic violence agencies that serve families in crisis.

"The Wireless Foundation is making this donation in October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, to underscore its deep commitment to raising awareness about the terrible harm domestic violence causes to women, children, families and communities," said Foundation Executive Director David S. Diggs. "We are grateful to the American people for their tremendous response to this program. The 2 million phones that Americans have donated so far have helped generate the funding for these worthwhile organizations, and have also helped the environment through the recycling of used wireless phones."

"As a co-founder of this program, NCADV is pleased with its continued success," said National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Executive Director Rita Smith. "We encourage Americans to continue to donate their used wireless phones and help generate additional funding to help prevent domestic violence. This funding will provide so many services that help those who are making the transition from an abusive situation to a safe life. The wireless industry should be very proud of its commitment to stopping abuse. It is an invaluable resource in our work to stop domestic violence."

"In the hands of victims, these phones are a true lifeline that allows them to call for assistance in emergencies," said Sheryl Cates, Executive Director, Texas Council on Family Violence, which runs the National Domestic Violence Hotline. "Now, with these funds as well, we can ensure that, whether a call is made from a wireless phone or a landline phone, every call to the National Domestic Violence Hotline will be answered. This is a remarkably generous and very welcome donation that will allow us to serve many more battered women who need help."

"We will use these funds to help teach teens that violence is always wrong," said Family Violence Prevention Fund President Esta Soler. "We thank the industry for working hand-in-hand with us to utilize the wireless text messaging that is so popular with young people to teach them to end abuse. Working together, we will find ways to stop violence before it starts and protect future generations from the scourge of domestic violence."

"It takes courage to look into the eyes of battered women and their children and see their pain, and it takes compassion to be a part of the healing. We are learning more every day about the safe and smart use of technology to help victims rebuild their lives. This new partnership will allow us to build a network of technology savvy advocates throughout the country," added National Network to End Domestic Violence Executive Director Lynn Rosenthal.

Consumers wishing to donate phones in support of the CALL to PROTECT program may visit www.donateaphone.com for a listing of local drop-off locations and for the mailing address. The Donate A Phone program is a partnership with ReCellular, Inc.

Photos from an event commemorating this donation are available.

The Wireless Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established by the membership of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association

(CTIA) in 1993 to initiate and oversee philanthropic programs that utilize wireless technology to help American communities. More information is available at www.wirelessfoundation.org .

The Family Violence Prevention Fund works to end domestic violence and help women and children whose lives are devastated by abuse, because every person has the right to live free of violence. More information is available at www.endabuse.org .

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence works to eliminate domestic violence, empower victims, promote and unify services for victims, alert and educate the public, and promote partnerships with corporations and foundations. More information is available at www.ncdav.org .

The National Domestic Violence Hotline opened in February 1996 to give victims of domestic violence across the nation a resource toll-free, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. The hotline number is 1-800-799-SAFE or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). The Hotline is a project of the Texas Council on Family Violence. More information is available at www.ndvh.org .

The National Network to End Domestic Violence, a social change organization representing state domestic violence coalitions, is dedicated to creating a social, political and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists. More information is available at www.nnedv.org .

Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global leader in wireless, automotive and broadband communications. Sales in 2002 were $27.3 billion. Motorola is a global corporate citizen dedicated to ethical business practices and pioneering important innovations that make things smarter and life better, honored traditions that began when the company was founded 75 years ago this year. For more information, please visit www.motorola.com . ReCellular Inc. is the world leader in trading and refurbishing wireless equipment, including refurbished cell phones and reconditioned mobile phones. For more information about ReCellular, visit www.recellular.com .