For Immediate Release
July 20, 2000
--Press Release from Sheriff Butler--
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office
Pitches in to Help
Domestic Violence Victims
The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office is participating in a new statewide effort to provide unused cellular phones to domestic violence victims, said Sheriff Earl "Moose" Butler.
"If having a cell phone for help makes a difference between life and death for even one person, this program is worth the effort", said Sheriff Butler. "Our office is happy to do all we can to help protect victims and to stop domestic abuse".
Under the "Call to Protect" program, businesses and individuals can donate old cellular phones to the Wireless Foundation, which will re-wire the phones to dial 911 and one non-emergency number. Phones will be redistributed to victims and shelters in October.
State Senator President Pro-Tempore Marc Basnight announced the program in May. Sheriff's Offices in 72 counties across North Carolina have agreed to participate in the collection effort. People who want to donate their phones can drop them off at their local sheriff's department and receive a tax receipt for their donation.
"Domestic violence hurts its direct victims, it hurts families, and it hurts our communities " Basnight said. "Putting phones in the hands of people who need help is the right thing to do. I hope everyone who has an old cell phone will put it to use for this very good cause."
The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office is located at 131 Dick Street in Fayetteville. For more information on the "Call to Protect" program please call Debbie Greene at the Sheriff's Office at (910) 323-1500.
For more information on the news release, you may contact Stephanie Hardy, Public Information Officer at Phone: (910) 677-5487 Pager: (910) 677-4313 Fax: (910) 677-5558.